MOSCOW: Russia has condemned the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, calling it an “unacceptable political murder” that will exacerbate tension in the region.
Russia’s state-run news agency, RIA Novosti cited Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov as saying “This is all very bad. This is a categorically deplorable political murder, and it will lead to further escalation of regional tension.” Bogdanov warned that this will have a significant negative impact on the Doha talks.
Earlier, Turkey on Wednesday denounced the “shameful assassination” of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, the foreign affairs ministry said on Wednesday.
Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement, “We denounce the assassination of the leader of Hamas’s political office, Ismail Haniyeh, in a shameful assassination in Tehran, Iran.” The statement said that the that this attack also aims to spread the Gaza conflict to a regional dimension.
Iran has also expressed condolences over the martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh to the proud nation of Palestine, Hamas and countries supporting the Palestinian cause.
In a statement, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kan’ani said that the investigation into the details of this incident by the relevant institutions of Iran is underway. He said, “The martyrdom of brother Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran will strengthen the deep bond between Iran and Palestine.
The Palestinian group Hamas has announced earlier that Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in an Israeli airstrike targeting his compound in Tehran. Israel did not issue any announcement regarding the assassination.
Iranian media reported Haniyeh’s death, noting that a probe into the assassination is ongoing and that the outcomes will be announced soon.
