• Iran will respond at ‘right time’ to killing of Hamas leader
• Iran FM urged member states to support Iran’s response
• The OIC later issued a statement holding Israel “fully responsible” for the assassination
• The assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran has sharply escalated tensions in the region

Iran will respond at ‘right time’ to killing of Hamas leader

Iran’s acting foreign minister has vowed the country will respond to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh at the “right time” and in an “appropriate” manner. His statement followed a day of intense diplomacy in the Middle East, including an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Saudi Arabia.

During the OIC meeting, Iranian Foreign Minister Baqeri Ali Bagheri Kani urged member states to support Iran’s response, framing it as a defence of regional stability and security. The OIC later issued a statement holding Israel “fully responsible” for the assassination, labelling it a “serious infringement” of Iran’s sovereignty. However, the organisation did not endorse any military action by Iran.

The assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran has sharply escalated tensions in the region. While Iran and its allies accuse Israel of the killing, Israel has not commented on the incident. The US hopes OIC members will discourage Iran from escalating the conflict.