Iran vows retaliation after Hamas leader killed

Iran has vowed to exercise its "inherent and legitimate right" to retaliate against the "criminal Zionist gang" following a terrorist attack on Wednesday that killed Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

The statement from Iran criticized the European Union's silence, which Tehran claims has emboldened Israel to carry out such atrocities, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Acting Foreign Minister Ali Baqeri Kani expressed these sentiments in a phone call with Josep Borrell, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs. Baqeri condemned the Israeli regime's actions, stating that the attack violated Iran's territorial integrity and national sovereignty, while also threatening regional and international peace.

Baqeri also criticized certain European countries for aligning with the US to block a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Haniyeh's assassination during an extraordinary session. He argued that the pro-Israel stance of these nations, marked by their silence on Israel's actions in Yemen and Lebanon, has emboldened the regime to continue its aggressive behavior, thereby destabilizing the region.

Baqeri called on the EU to take responsibility for maintaining international peace and security by pressuring Israel to cease its aggressive actions. He warned that the lack of serious action by the EU would encourage Israel to continue its destabilizing activities.

In response, Borrell acknowledged Iran's right to defend its territorial integrity and expressed concern about the escalating tensions and the potential for a full-scale war in the region, which could have severe consequences for the people.

Haniyeh, who was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran's newly-elected President Masoud Pezeshkian, was killed along with his bodyguard in an Israeli attack on his residence.

Following the assassination, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Leader of the Islamic Revolution, warned Israel of a "harsh response," stating that Iran must avenge the blood of the Palestinian resistance leader. "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," Khamenei declared.