TEHRAN – The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament has voiced strong support for a decisive retaliatory response against Israel following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’s political bureau, who was in Tehran as a guest.

During a parliamentary session on Sunday, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf emphasized that lawmakers are calling for a "deterrent reaction" to the Israeli aggression, ensuring that Iran's national interests are safeguarded. 

He stressed that a suitable and forceful retaliation for Haniyeh’s assassination is necessary, and affirmed the Parliament’s full backing of any decision made by military officials regarding the timing and nature of the response.

Qalibaf expressed confidence that a "devastating and calculated response" from Iran would not only satisfy the Iranian public and resistance forces but also prompt regret from both Israel and its primary ally, the United States. 

He warned that both nations need to reassess their strategies to avoid further security breaches and disruptions to regional peace.

Noting that Iran has consistently responded to acts of aggression since the Islamic Revolution, Qalibaf assured that Iranian military forces are prepared to deliver a "historic lesson" to both the Israeli regime and its perceived ally, the United States.

The assassination of Haniyeh occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, when he was in Tehran to attend the inauguration of Iran's new president. He was killed by an aerial projectile while staying at a residence in northern Tehran.