Iran asserts its 'legitimate right' to retaliate against Israel, says president
Iran accused Israel of the “cowardly” assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Tehran is holding West Jerusalem accountable for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, which occurred last month in the Iranian capital.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reaffirmed the nation's determination to retaliate against Israel for its actions regarding what he termed the “cowardly” assassination of Haniyeh in late July. During a phone conversation on Monday with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state, Pezeshkian asserted that the killing contravened “all humanitarian and legal principles,” and emphasized that Iran “has the legitimate right” to take action in response. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement in Haniyeh's death.
Haniyeh, who was serving as the chief negotiator for Hamas in indirect ceasefire discussions with Israel, was killed by a “short-range projectile” that struck the location where he was staying during his visit to Iran for Pezeshkian’s inauguration. Both Tehran and Hamas have implicated West Jerusalem in the assassination and have promised to seek retribution against Israel for this alleged act.
He remarked, “According to all international norms and regulations, the right to respond to an aggressor is reserved for any country that has been subjected to aggression,” as reported by the IRNA news agency. He also criticized Western backing for Israel and noted that international silence surrounding its actions “encourages it to continue” these activities.
The assassination of Haniyeh has heightened tensions between Tehran, a long-time supporter of Hamas during the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza, and West Jerusalem, which has vowed to eliminate the militant group. Israel previously confirmed that it had “eliminated” Fuad Shukr, a senior commander in Hezbollah, which is also supported by Iran.
These incidents have raised global alarms about the possibility of a full-scale war between Iran and Israel. The leaders of France, Germany, and the UK jointly urged Iran and its allies on Monday to “refrain from attacks that would further escalate regional tensions.”
In a conversation with Pezeshkian, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged the Iranian leader to avoid striking Israel and cautioned that there was a “serious risk of miscalculation and now was the time for calm and careful consideration,” as stated by his office. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also communicated with Pezeshkian that same day, both advocating for de-escalation.
On Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani dismissed these calls as “lacking political logic” and “contradicting the principles of international law.” He stated, “[Iran] will not ask anyone for permission to exercise its inalienable rights… If these countries really want peace and stability in the region, they must speak out without any reservations against the provocations of the Israeli regime and the incitement of conflict,” during a press briefing.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reaffirmed the nation's determination to retaliate against Israel for its actions regarding what he termed the “cowardly” assassination of Haniyeh in late July. During a phone conversation on Monday with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state, Pezeshkian asserted that the killing contravened “all humanitarian and legal principles,” and emphasized that Iran “has the legitimate right” to take action in response. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement in Haniyeh's death.
Haniyeh, who was serving as the chief negotiator for Hamas in indirect ceasefire discussions with Israel, was killed by a “short-range projectile” that struck the location where he was staying during his visit to Iran for Pezeshkian’s inauguration. Both Tehran and Hamas have implicated West Jerusalem in the assassination and have promised to seek retribution against Israel for this alleged act.
He remarked, “According to all international norms and regulations, the right to respond to an aggressor is reserved for any country that has been subjected to aggression,” as reported by the IRNA news agency. He also criticized Western backing for Israel and noted that international silence surrounding its actions “encourages it to continue” these activities.
The assassination of Haniyeh has heightened tensions between Tehran, a long-time supporter of Hamas during the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza, and West Jerusalem, which has vowed to eliminate the militant group. Israel previously confirmed that it had “eliminated” Fuad Shukr, a senior commander in Hezbollah, which is also supported by Iran.
These incidents have raised global alarms about the possibility of a full-scale war between Iran and Israel. The leaders of France, Germany, and the UK jointly urged Iran and its allies on Monday to “refrain from attacks that would further escalate regional tensions.”
In a conversation with Pezeshkian, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged the Iranian leader to avoid striking Israel and cautioned that there was a “serious risk of miscalculation and now was the time for calm and careful consideration,” as stated by his office. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also communicated with Pezeshkian that same day, both advocating for de-escalation.
On Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani dismissed these calls as “lacking political logic” and “contradicting the principles of international law.” He stated, “[Iran] will not ask anyone for permission to exercise its inalienable rights… If these countries really want peace and stability in the region, they must speak out without any reservations against the provocations of the Israeli regime and the incitement of conflict,” during a press briefing.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
