New Delhi: Iran declared it has the legal right to retaliate against Israel on Monday, following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. This development comes amid ongoing tensions related to the Gaza conflict. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani emphasized Irans position during a news conference, stating, No one has the right to doubt Irans legal right to punish the Zionist regime.Rising regional tensionsThe incident, which Iran attributes to Israel, has further heightened tensions in the region, already strained since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in early October. Despite the situation, Kanani insisted that Iran does not seek to escalate the situation further.How did attack on Hamas leader Haniyeh take placeAccording to Irans Revolutionary Guards, Haniyeh was killed by a short-range projectile that struck outside the residence he was visiting in Tehran for the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian. This assassination has prompted Iran, along with Hamas and other Tehran-aligned groups in the Middle East, to vow retaliation.This incident occurred shortly after Fuad Shukr, Hezbollahs military chief, was killed in an Israeli strike on Beirut. Since early October, exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah have been frequent, adding to the regional instability.Calls for de-escalationThe recent high-profile killings have sparked international calls for de-escalation, with global powers expressing concern over the potential for a full-scale regional conflict. In response, Kanani stated, We believe the consolidation of stability and security in the region will be achieved by punishing the aggressor and creating a deterrent against the adventurous behavior and extraterritorial terrors of the Zionist regime.Diplomatic engagementsIran has been engaging in diplomatic talks with Arab nations such as Jordan, Egypt, Oman, and Qatar since the assassination of Haniyeh. Despite not recognizing Israel, Tehran continues to assert its inherent right to take action against its adversary.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel is at a very high level of readiness for any potential scenarios, both defensive and offensive.
