TEHRAN- The Iranian Foreign Ministry vehemently denounced on Tuesday the assassination of Saleh al-Arouri, the Deputy Chief of Hamas’ Political Bureau, by the Israeli regime in Lebanon, stating that it proved once more that Zionism is based on crime and terror.

Tuesday night’s assassination of al-Arouri took place in a targeted Israeli drone attack in Beirut’s southern suburb.

The Zionist regime had suffered “heavy and irreparable defeat” in the face of Palestinian resistance forces during the al-Aqsa Storm operation, according to a statement by Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani.

He went on to add that the horrendous assassination occurred as a result of the resistance movement in Gaza and the people who exhibited “heroic steadfastness” against the Israeli regime’s genocidal attack against the coastal sliver since the operation.

Still alluding to the assassination, the spokesperson pointed out that by carrying out such atrocities, the criminal and unstable Zionist regime demonstrated once more that it was “founded upon assassination and crime.”

He went on to say that al-Arouri’s martyrdom will increase the momentum for resistance and anti-occupation fight not just in Palestine but also in surrounding regions and among freedom-seeking people worldwide.

During the drone strike, the Iranian spokesperson condemned the Israeli regime for violating Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He was adamant that the murderous activities of the Zionist regime require an “immediate and effective” response from international institutions, particularly the UN Security Council.

Kanaani expressed condolences with Hamas’ leadership, the Palestinian people, and al-Arouri’s survivors over his martyrdom.

At last, Kanaani alerted the Israeli regime and those who support it to the dangers posed by Tel Aviv’s new adventurism.

Al-Arouri, who used to serve as the deputy head of the Political Bureau of Hamas, was known as the “architect” of the October 7 operation by Gaza’s resistance groups, during which hundreds were taken captive.