Avenge of Haniyeh’s blood a duty: Leader
Pezeshkian warns terrorists will regret ’cowardly act’
The assassination of Hamas’s Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh drew strong warnings from Iran, with the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei vowing of a “harsh response” to Israel.
Ayatollah Khamenei said it is the Islamic Republic’s duty to avenge the blood of the Palestinian resistance leader.
The Leader made the remarks on Wednesday, hours after Haniyeh, who had traveled to Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s new president, was killed in a dawn attack in the capital.
“The criminal and terrorist Zionist regime martyred our dear guest in our homeland and left us bereaved, but it also set the ground for a harsh punishment for itself,” the Leader said.
Ayatollah Khamenei commended Haniyeh’s years-long sacrifices in his fight against the Israeli occupation and said he was ready for martyrdom and sacrificed his children and households on this path.
“He was not afraid of embracing martyrdom in the way of God and saving God’s servants, but we consider it our duty to avenge his blood in this bitter and horrific incident that came to pass in the Islamic Republic’s territory,” the Leader asserted.
Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the inauguration ceremony of new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday.
Pezeshkian issued a statement saying Tehran will defend its territorial integrity and dignity.
The Islamic Republic of Iran will defend its territorial integrity, honor, dignity and pride, and make the terrorist occupiers regret their cowardly action.”
Israel violates int’l law
The Iranian president said Israel’s terrorist act violates international law and demands united action by the world, especially Islamic countries, to deal with this criminal and occupying regime.
“Yesterday, I raised his victorious hand and today I should carry him on my shoulders,” Pezeshkian wrote in a message posted on his X account.
“The bond between the two proud nations of Iran and Palestine will be stronger than ever, and the path of resistance and protection of the oppressed will be followed stronger than ever.”
Also on Wednesday, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf reacted to the assassination of Haniyeh, saying that the Islamic Republic and the resistance front will avenge the blood of Haniyeh.
“May God have mercy upon the brave leader of the Palestinian resistance, the courageous fighter and wise mentor, protector of the dignity of the resilient Palestinian nation and guardian of Islamic values, martyr of al-Quds, Haj Ismail Haniyeh,” Qalibaf said.
“The two nations of Iran and Palestine are grieving over this great tragedy together. Iran and the resistance front will avenge the blood of their martyred brother,” he added.