• By Imran Zafar
  • Wed, 31 Jul 2024 02:57 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei pledged severe retribution against Israel following the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday. Ayatollah Khamenei stated that avenging Haniyeh's assassination is a duty for Tehran, citing the location of the attack which is a violation of Iran’s territorial sovereignty. 

"The criminal and terrorist Zionist regime has prepared the ground for harsh punishment for itself, and we consider it our duty to seek revenge for his blood as he was martyred in the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran," the statement broadcast by the official news agency IRNA said.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Haniyeh's assassination would strengthen the ties between Iran and Palestine, ''reinforcing the path of resistance and defence of the oppressed''. Iran's president also vowed to defend the nation's honour and ''make the attackers regret their cowardly actions''. Pezeshkian referenced the Holy Quran, stating, "Indeed Allah is all-mighty, avenger."

"Today, dear Iran is mourning the martyrdom of the brave leader of the Palestinian Resistance, Ismail Haniyeh," noted Pezeshkian on his X social media platform. He expressed sorrow over the loss, recalling a recent encounter with Haniyeh. "Yesterday, I raised his victorious hand, and today I have to carry his coffin on my shoulders."

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Muhammad al-Hindi, the Deputy Secretary-General of the Islamic Jihad Movement, described Haniyeh's assassination as a significant loss for the Palestinian people, claiming that such actions would not defeat the Resistance.

Meanwhile, Iranian media broadcast footage of Haniyeh with the Iranian president on Tuesday, just hours before the attack that killed him. The Iranian media also broadcast Haniyeh's earlier speeches which highlighted his readiness to fight for the Palestinian cause.

The Hamas statement also quoted a past speech by Ismail Haniyeh in which he said the Palestinian cause has ''costs'' and ''we are ready for these costs: martyrdom for the sake of Palestine and for the sake of God Almighty and for the sake of the dignity of this nation.''