Retaliation against Israel Undoubted: Iranian Spokesman


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – No one can throw doubt on Iran’s right to respond to the Israeli assassination of the Hamas chief in Tehran or dissuade the Islamic Republic from taking a retaliatory measure in accordance with international law, the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s spokesman said.

Speaking to reporters at a weekly press conference on Monday, Nasser Kanaani said Iran has the “unquestionable right” to protect its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Highlighting the necessary political and legal actions taken by Iran following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the spokesman stressed that nobody is allowed to cast doubt on Iran’s legitimate right to retaliate and create deterrence.

“We believe that Iran is entitled to punish the aggressor within the framework of international law… Iran will definitely and decisively take serious and deterrent measures by exercising its inherent right on the basis of international principles to ensure its security,” he underlined.

Deploring the international organizations’ failure to stand against the Zionist regime’s crimes, the spokesman noted that Iran does not seek an escalation of tensions, but intends to ensure stability.

“Iran believes that stability will be achieved with the punishment of the aggressor,” Kanaani added.

He also stated that the ministerial council of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation is going to convene in Jeddah on Wednesday at the behest of Iran to discuss the aspects of the martyrdom of Haniyeh.

The Israeli regime assassinated the head of the political bureau of Hamas in Tehran in the early hours of July 31.

Haniyeh, who was in Tehran to attend the new Iranian president’s swearing-in ceremony, was martyred in a special residence after being hit by an aerial projectile.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei has warned the Israeli regime of a "harsh response" for Haniyeh's assassination, calling it the Islamic Republic's duty to avenge the Palestinian resistance leader's blood.