Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, head of the political bureau of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, will further consolidate the bond between the two nations, noting that the path of resistance will continue stronger than ever.
Pezeshkian made the remark in a post on his X social media account on Wednesday, hours after Haniyeh was assassinated in an attack on his residence in the Iranian capital of Tehran.
Today, Iran is mourning “the all-time and proud follower of the path of resistance, the brave leader of the Palestinian resistance, the martyr of al-Quds, Haj Ismail Haniyeh,” said part of the message.
“Yesterday, I raised his victorious hand and today I should carry him on my shoulders,” Pezeshkian further wrote, adding, “The bond between the two proud nations of Iran and Palestine will be stronger than ever, and the path of resistance and protection of the oppressed will be followed stronger than ever.”
The Iranian president underlined, “The Islamic Republic of Iran will defend its territorial integrity, honor and dignity, and make the terrorist occupiers regret their cowardly act.”
Iranian Foreign Ministry: Haniyeh’s blood, sacrifices 'will not go in vain'
The Iranian Foreign Ministry also expressed its condolences on the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, saying the blood and sacrifices of the late head of the political bureau of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas will not be wasted.
Nasser Kan'ani, the foreign ministry spokesman, made the statement after Haniyeh, who had traveled to Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s new chief executive, was killed in an attack in the capital in the early hours of Wednesday.
Kan'ani condoled with the “great and proud” nation of Palestine, Hamas and all Palestinian resistance groups, the entire resistance movements as well as nations and countries supporting the Palestinian cause.
Pointing to the Iranian authorities’ ongoing investigations into the aspects of the targeted killing, the foreign ministry spokesman said, “Undoubtedly, the pure blood of this indefatigable combatant, who spent a lifetime in the fight and honorable struggle against the usurping Zionist regime and on the way to the liberation of al-Quds and the emancipation of the oppressed Palestinian nation from the clutches of the Zionist occupiers, will not be wasted."
Kan'ani also underlined that the martyrdom of Haniyeh in Tehran will further bolster the deep and unbreakable bond between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Palestine and the resistance.
Palestinian groups have joined the chorus of condemnation and condolence, pledging to make those behind the targeted killing pay the price of the heinous act.
Parliamentary committee to hold emergency session
The spokesman of Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee strongly condemned the assassination of Haniyeh and said the panel is slated to hold an emergency meeting following the incident.
“This was a cowardly act and its perpetrators will definitely receive the necessary response, and any mischief against the commanders and leaders of the resistance will not go unanswered,” Ebrahim Rezaei said.
The issue is under investigation and the Committee will inform the public about the aspects and perpetrators of the incident, he added.
Rezaei hailed Haniyeh’s distinguished role in the Palestinian resistance, and his efforts for liberation of al-Quds and securing the Palestinian rights.