Iran: Hamas Leader’s Killing a Costly ‘Strategic Mistake’ by Israel
Sudan Events – Agencies
Israel committed a costly “strategic mistake” with its killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last week, Iran’s acting foreign minister said on Thursday.
“The act that the Zionists carried out in Tehran was a strategic mistake because it will cost them gravely,” Ali Bagheri said one day after attending an extraordinary session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah.
Although Israel has not commented on Haniyeh’s death, Iran has vowed to retaliate, setting the region on edge.
The meeting on Wednesday of foreign ministers from the 57-member OIC produced a declaration holding Israel “fully responsible” for the “heinous” killing of Haniyeh, who lived in Qatar and was a major player in talks to end the war in the Gaza Strip.
Despite mounting fears of an escalation in the region and calls for restraint from Washington, Bagheri said that OIC members voiced support for Iranian retaliation.
Yahya Sinwar, the alleged mastermind of the October 7 attacks, was named head of Hamas this week following Haniyeh’s death.
Analysts believe Sinwar has been both more reluctant to agree to a Gaza ceasefire and closer to Tehran than Haniyeh.
Bagheri hailed Sinwar’s appointment on Thursday in a statement published by Iran’s foreign ministry.
“The countries who are providing arms and equipment, countries who have economic ties with the Zionist regime, countries who have diplomatic ties with the Zionist regime which is carrying out so many crimes, they need to come and answer why this situation is continuing,” Bagheri said.
