Iran Press/ America: In a statement released on Wednesday, the Iranian mission emphasized the country's dual approach in response to the escalating conflict. “We have been pursuing two priorities simultaneously,” the mission outlined.
“Firstly, the realization of a stable ceasefire in Gaza and the withdrawal of the occupiers from this territory,” it stated.
“And secondly, the punishment of the aggressor over the assassination of Martyr Haniyeh, prevention of the repetition of the Zionist regime’s acts of aggression, and making the Zionists regret entering this course [in the first place],” the mission concluded.
Haniyeh, who served as the Political Bureau chief of Hamas, was martyred along with his bodyguard in Tehran late last month. Iran has promised a severe response.
Ali Bagheri Kani, Iran's acting Foreign Minister, reiterated Tehran’s stance during an extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. “The country had no option but to retaliate against the regime over the assassination,” Bagheri asserted, citing the necessity to deter further aggression amid the inaction of the UN Security Council.
The assassination of Haniyeh occurred against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has seen a devastating toll. Since October, the war has claimed the lives of at least 39,677 Palestinians, including many women, children, and adolescents.
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