Israeli assassination of Haniyeh was big mistake: Pezeshkian to Safadi
6 Min Read
During his visit to Iran, the Jordanian FM says his country condemns Haniyeh's assassination.
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A handout picture released by the Iranian presidential office shows Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian (R) meeting with Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Tehran on August 04, 2024. (Iranian Presidency/AFP)
"Israel" has made a big mistake by assassinating Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh, stressed Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during a meeting with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Tehran on Sunday.
Pezeshkian described the assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran as a "cowardly act" that goes "against all international laws."
He characterized the crime as a "big mistake of the Zionists."
The newly-inaugurated Iranian President added that Iran "expects all Islamic countries and freedom-seeking people in the entire world to strongly condemn such a crime."
The Iranian President condemned Western nations for their double standards on human rights and underlined that his country would respond to the Israeli aggression.
During the meeting, Pezeshkian expressed hope that the ongoing negotiations between the diplomatic delegations of Iran and Jordan regarding the resumption of relations between the two nations would soon be concluded.
He emphasized that the resumption of relations between the two Islamic countries would allow them, and the region as a whole, to benefit from their potential, capabilities, and mutual friendship and cooperation.
On his part, Safadi conveyed greetings, congratulations, and best wishes from Jordan's King to the Iranian President, expressing Amman's desire to restore relations with Tehran and collaborate to enhance regional stability and peace.
"Jordan has strongly condemned the brutal aggression of the Zionist regime on Gaza from the very beginning," the top Jordanian diplomat said.
He added that his country condemns Haniyeh's assassination, affirming that this action is part of Israeli occupation Benjamin Netanyahu's efforts to expand the scope of war in the region.
Elsewhere, Safadi emphasized Jordan's willingness to enhance relations with Iran, noting that he had discussed various ways to expand the bilateral ties during his visit to Tehran.
Jordan's FM says he's not in Tehran to convey message from 'Israel'
Earlier, Iranian Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani held discussions with his Jordanian counterpart to address regional developments, Iranian media reported.
Safadi, who arrived in Tehran earlier on Sunday for talks with Iranian officials, met with Bagheri Kani at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the afternoon.
This comes days after the assassination of Hamas Political Bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, with the latter vowing a severe retaliation to the Israeli assault, despite American and Arab efforts aimed at persuading Iran to tone down its response.
Following the meeting, Safadi stated that he visited the Iranian capital upon an official invitation to discuss the serious escalation in the region.
He clarified, "I told my Iranian counterpart that I was not there to convey a message from Israel in Tehran, nor am I here to convey a message to Israel."
The Jordanian Foreign Minister called for effective action to stop the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and halt the illegal Israeli measures.
"We want our region to live in security, peace, and stability, and we want the escalation to end," he said.
He emphasized that halting the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip is the first step to mitigating regional tensions.
"As I stated in Amman and reiterate here in Tehran, the first step toward ending the escalation is to stop the Israeli aggression on Gaza, cease the violation of Palestinian rights in the West Bank, and halt the escalatory measures that push the region toward further destruction."
Touching on Haniyeh's assassination, Safadi said Jordan has been clear in condemning this act, considering it a "heinous crime" and an escalatory step that constitutes a breach of international law and international humanitarian law, as well as an assault on state sovereignty.
The top Jordanian diplomat added that the purpose of his visit to the Iranian capital "is to resolve the differences between the two countries in a clear and transparent manner, in a way that is in line with our mutual interests."
Earlier on Sunday, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry mentioned that Safadi "will deliver a message from His Majesty King Abdullah II to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the situation in the region and bilateral relations."
Safadi's meeting with Bagheri Kani and other Iranian senior officials in Tehran marks the first time in 20 years a senior Jordanian official visits the Islamic Republic, IRNA reported.
The last time a top Jordanian diplomat made an official visit to Iran was former Prime Minister Faisal al-Fayez in 2004.
Strategic balance will never shift in favor of 'Israel', its backers: Kanaani
In a separate yet related context, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry pointed out that the strategic balance in the Palestinian territories and the broader region will never shift in favor of "Israel" and its backers.
"Despite the horrific brutality of the Zionists and their war crimes and genocidal actions in Palestine, as well as cowardly assassinations across the region, the strategic balance in the Palestinian territories and the broader region will never return in favor of the Zionist regime and its deluded supporters," Nasser Kanaani posted on his account on X.
در جدیدترین جنایت جنگی صهیونیستها در نوار #غزه، در بمباران مدارس "النصر" و "حسن سلامه" در شمال غرب شهر غزه، ۲۵ نفر از ساکنان آواره فلسطینی ساکن در آنها به شهادت رسیدند و دهها نفر مجروح شدند.
— Nasser Kanaani (@IRIMFA_SPOX) August 4, 2024
برغم توحّش هولناک صهیونیستها و جنایات جنگی و نسلکُشی در فلسطین و نیز ترورهای بزدلانه… pic.twitter.com/i2KbyyOT0b
His remarks came after the Israeli occupation forces committed on Sunday a new massacre in the Gaza Strip, killing 30 Palestinians in a series of airstrikes that targeted two schools in Gaza City sheltering thousands of displaced people.
Kanaani stressed that "the latent anger in the hearts of the world's free nations will ultimately catch up with the Zionist criminals and their backers."
According to Al Mayadeen’s correspondent, the Israeli airstrikes on the Hassan Salama and Al-Nasr schools in western Gaza City killed 30 Palestinians and injured dozens of others, including many in serious condition.
Palestinian news websites also reported that the Israeli bombardment destroyed the northern wing of the Al-Nasr School, which consists of three floors, and damaged the ground floor of Hassan Salama School.
Video footage showed fires breaking out inside the Hassan Salama School, which shelters thousands of displaced individuals whose homes have been destroyed.
مجزرة جديدة يرتكبها الاحتلال الإسرائيلي في مدرسة "حسن سلامة" غرب مدينة #غزة.#الميادين #فلسطين_المحتلة pic.twitter.com/RDj5FnnG62
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) August 4, 2024
This comes less than 24 hours after a similar Israeli massacre at the al-Hamama School in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, which killed 16 displaced Palestinians.
The number is expected to rise..
— Motasem A Dalloul (@AbujomaaGaza) August 3, 2024
Paramedics: So far, 15 displaced persons have been confirmed dead and 35 others WOUNDED in #Israeli_bombing of Hamama School —refugee shelter— in Al Sheikh Ridwan neighbourhood, northwest of #Gaza_City!#StopGazaGenocide pic.twitter.com/7mJZYOMhFE
Early Sunday, Israeli occupation forces targeted the tents of displaced people within the premises of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, killing three Palestinians and injuring over 18 others and causing a power outage at the health facility.
Adding to its list of massacres, "Israel" launched a merciless airstrike early Sunday, targeting tents that sheltered thousands of forcibly displaced Palestinian families in #Gaza. pic.twitter.com/D6MRzsqp79
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 4, 2024
Read more: Iran to cross what 'Israel' deems 'red lines' in retaliation: Sources
