Iran’s president says ‘Israeli terrorist occupation will regret’ Haniyeh’s assassination

“The Israeli terrorist occupation will regret the cowardly murder,” said the Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkianfollowing the assassination of the head of the political bureau of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, Ismail Haniyehwhich occurred early this morning in Tehran, where he was on an official visit.

Pezeshkian has shown his commitment to “defending the territorial integrity and dignity” of the country. “Iran is today mourning the martyrdom of the brave leader of the Palestinian Resistance: yesterday I raised his victorious hand and today it is my turn to carry his coffin on my shoulders,” he said. Haniyeh attended Pezeshkian’s inauguration in the Iranian capital yesterday.

Iranian authorities have previously maintained that the attack will not go unanswered. Among others, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Naser Kananihas signed that “it is a despicable act and there will be a response.”

Also Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khameneihas threatened Israel with revenge. “With this act, the criminal and terrorist Zionist regime (Israel) has prepared the ground for a harsh punishment and we consider it our duty to avenge the murder on the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Khamenei warned in a statement.

Sources close to the investigation have stated that the attack against the Hamas leader, which took place at around 2:00 a.m., was carried out with a guided missile launched from outside the country.