The Israeli regime committed a costly "strategic mistake" when it assassinated Hamas leader martyr Ismail Haniyeh on July 31, Iran's Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on  Thursday. 

Bagheri Kani said that the assassination would cost the Israeli regime "gravely," a day after attending an extraordinary session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which released a final statement condemning martyr Haniyeh's assassination in northern Tehran, Iran. 

The acting foreign minister said that "Israel" is attempting to expand regional tension, war, and conflict to other countries. He stressed that the Israeli regime does not have the "capacity nor strength" to engage in war against Iran.

"The Zionists are in no position to start a war against the Islamic Republic of Iran," he emphasized.

He also pointed to the wide-ranging support Iran received from OIC members, regarding the necessity of its response to the Israeli aggression on Tehran.

Western nations should answer important questions

"Those we have spoken to yesterday, whether in phone calls or during in-person meetings, all of them stressed the Islamic Republic of Iran's right to respond to this terrorist crime," he revealed.

Bagheri Kani criticized Western states that are urging Iran to limit its response, saying that they are in no "position to advise the Islamic Republic of Iran." He underlined that these nations "need to answer questions," on "Israel's" assassination of Haniyeh. 

"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," he underscored.

Read more: Iran rejects calls to tone down Haniyeh's assassination response: WSJ

Sinwar's appointment brings hope, cohesion, victory

The acting foreign minister also hailed Hamas' appointment of Yahya Sinwar as head of the Political Bureau, following martyr Haniyeh's assassination. The decision to appoint Sinwar was unanimous among Hamas officials, who swiftly selected the Resistance leader to fill the vacant position. 

Sinwar is considered to be the mastermind behind Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, which was executed on October 7, 2023, and served more than 23 years in Israeli prisons before being released in a prisoner exchange deal. Electing Sinwar as head of the politburo sends a strong message to the Israeli regime, that Hamas is steadfast in its Resistance to the Israeli occupation project. 

"This selection at the current critical moment brings hope, cohesion, authority, and victory for the Hamas movement, the heroic nation of Palestine, and the Axis of Resistance," Bagheri Kani explained.

Read more: Sinwar's election as political leader strengthens Hamas-Iran ties: WSJ

Hezbollah, Yemeni Armed Forces, Iran to respond to Israeli crimes

The diplomat said that Hezbollah and the Yemeni Armed Forces also have similar goals in responding to Israeli crimes, namely the assassination of leader martyr Fouad Shokor and the Israeli aggression on Hodeidah in Yemen. 

"We have similar goals but, in the field, the resistance movement acts based (on) its own... understanding of the situation and its interests," AFP quoted Bagheri Kani as saying. 

He said that an Iranian response to the Israeli aggression would be "exactly in line with the preservation of the security and stabilization of the region."

Read more: 'Israel' in nerve-wracking anticipation for Hezbollah, Iran response