Iran calls for OIC meeting after assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh
Iran's acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani has urged the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to convene an emergency meeting to condemn the Israeli regime’s assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, head of the political bureau of Hamas.
In phone calls with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Bagheri Kani condemned the assassination and called for a unified regional response.
“By crossing red lines and committing flagrant terrorist aggression over the martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh, the Zionist regime has posed serious threats to regional security and stability,” Bagheri Kani stated. He emphasized Iran's right to take decisive action against Israel.
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt condemned the assassination and expressed support for Iran's call for an OIC meeting. Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud of Saudi Arabia welcomed the proposed meeting, emphasizing continued consultations. Qatar’s foreign minister highlighted the boundless nature of Israeli criminal actions and praised Haniyeh as a significant figure in the Islamic world. Turkey’s Hakan Fidan supported the need for decisive measures against Israel, and Egypt’s Badr Abdelatty backed Tehran’s initiative.
Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran for the inauguration of new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, was assassinated early Wednesday by a guided missile that struck his accommodation in northern Tehran. Iran has launched rigorous investigations into the killing and declared three days of national mourning.
Palestinian groups have strongly condemned the assassination, vowing retribution. Haniyeh, 62, was a prominent figure in Hamas, having risen through the ranks since joining during the First Intifada in the late 1980s. Three of his sons were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza in April.
Iranian authorities announced they will release investigation results soon. Ayatollah Khamenei led the funeral prayers for Haniyeh, further underscoring the gravity of the incident.