Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has accused Israel of killing Palestinian Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and vowed to make the country “repent” for what he called a “cowardly” act.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran will defend its territorial integrity, honor, pride and dignity and stop the terrorist invaders. [Israel] “I regret this cowardly act,” Pezeschkian said on social media.
In the same message, the Iranian president paid tribute to Ismail Haniyeh, calling him a “courageous leader.”
Lebanon’s Shiite group Hezbollah also condemned Wednesday the killing in Tehran of its Palestinian ally Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh, saying the death would strengthen the “determination” of those fighting against Israel.
“The assassination of Leader Haniyeh will strengthen the determination and tenacity of the fighters in all areas of the resistance so that they can continue the path of jihad, and will strengthen their perseverance in confronting the Zionist enemy,” Hezbollah said in a statement.
The political leader was killed in an attack that Hamas blames on Israel and that also killed one of his bodyguards while he was on an official visit to Tehran to attend the inauguration of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian.