"Israel" and the United States will regret the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas' political bureau, after Iran's "crushing and clever response," Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on Sunday. 

“The sweet taste of a celebration of religious popular sovereignty...[in] the Islamic Republic turned bitter by the martyrdom of operational and political commanders of the Resistance, particularly Ismail Haniyeh, who was our guest,” the politician said during an open parliamentary session, referring to the late Hamas leader's presence in Tehran for President Masoud Pezeshkian's inauguration. 

“Undoubtedly, the Islamic Republic's crushing and clever response will leave a sweet taste in the mouth of the people and Resistance forces, as well as the world’s freedom seekers, and will make this regime, especially its backer – i.e. the US – regret their act," he stated.

The Head of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian Parliament, Ebrahim Azizi, shared a similar statement to the speaker, emphasizing to the IRNA news agency that Iran's retaliation "to this act of the Zionist regime will be regret-inducing, painful and agonizing, … [something] that it will not forget forever." The lawmaker added that the martyrdom of Haniyeh would strengthen the Islamic Reistance's front, and make it more steadfast.

'A historic lesson'

“Our powerful military forces … will give this terrorist enemy and its deceitful supporter, the United States, a historic lesson,” Ghalibaf emphasized, noting that the Resistance's retaliation will “force them ('Israel' and the US) to reform their calculations so that they don’t repeat their mistake that is harmful to their own security and regional peace.”

The top lawmaker added that the Iranian legislature calls for a deterrent reaction to preserve the country's national interests.

Qalibaf also called on the international community to unite to defend the rights of Palestinians against the alliance between Western governments and the Israel occupation.

US top Middle East Gen. arrives to region as Iran, Axis response nears

As the United States and "Israel" are preparing for the military retaliation of Iran and the Resistance Axis, the region's top US general arrived in the Middle East on Saturday, Axios reported on Sunday citing two US officials.

General Michael Kurilla, the chief of the US Central Command (CENTCOM) which oversees American forces in the region, had planned a visit before the recent Israeli escalations. However, according to the report, he is now expected to try and create a coalition similar to the one Washington established during Iran's response back in April, when "Israel" attacked its consulate in Syria, killing several senior IRGC officials. officials.

A US official added that Kurilla is expected to visit "Israel," Jordan, and several Gulf countries. His Amman visit will be a key part of his trip, as Jordan played a key role in intercepting Iranian drones headed for "Israel" on April 13, Axios said.

In light of preparations, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered on Saturday the deployment of additional naval warships, fighter jets, and anti-ballistic missile defense systems in the Middle East.