Iranian President: Haniyeh's assassination in Tehran will not pass without a response

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that “the assassination of the head of the political bureau of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran is a grave Zionist mistake that will not pass without a response,” while an Iranian source confirmed to Al Jazeera that the response will be harsh and painful.

During his meeting with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, who is visiting Tehran, Pezeshkian added that the assassination of Haniyeh as a guest of Iran is a violation of international law, and that he hopes to be condemned by the world.

Safadi's visit comes amid expectations of an escalation in mutual attacks between Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah on the one hand, and Israel on the other, after Tel Aviv assassinated the prominent leader of the party, Fouad Shukr, last Tuesday, and Hamas and Iran accused it of assassinating Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday.

harsh response

Meanwhile, an Iranian official source told Al Jazeera that Tehran will deliver two messages to Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, one to the Jordanian leadership and the other to America and Israel.

He added that it is out of the question for Tehran to accept no response or a symbolic response, stressing that any response would be harsh and painful.

The Iranian source said that Israel is now sending mediators to contain the situation, and this is out of the question, as it has greatly violated Tehran's sovereignty, according to his expression.

The Iranian official warned Israel against trying to push Iran not to respond in order to show it as a weak state with no real deterrence.

He added that Israel has crossed all taboos and must pay the price, and there is no doubt that it will pay it dearly.

Safadi's visit to Iran comes amid ongoing diplomatic contacts by the United States and its partners, including France, Britain, Italy and Egypt, to prevent further escalation in the region.

Last Thursday, Safadi said in a press conference, “If there is any escalation, our priority is to protect Jordan and the safety of Jordanians. Anyone who wants to violate our airspace, we will confront that. Jordan will not be a battlefield. We are exposed to many consequences and repercussions.”

In the attack launched by Iran on Israel last April, some missiles and drones crossed over Jordanian airspace, and the kingdom’s defenses shot down some of them.