TEHRAN - Iran's acting foreign minister has emphasized the need to prevent Israel from escalating its aggressive actions in the region.

During a phone call with Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó on Monday, Ali Baqeri Kani addressed the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of the Palestinian Resistance group Hamas, which occurred in Tehran. 

Baqeri Kani further stressed that such actions by Israel pose a danger to international peace and security, calling for the international community to confront and counteract Israel to prevent further aggression.

Baqeri Kani said it is necessary to stand up against this evil entity that is the root cause of instability in the region and to take countermeasures in accordance with international law so that the other side cannot step up its acts of aggression in the region.

Hungarian foreign minister Péter Szijjártó shared his concerns about the escalating tensions in the region, referencing Lebanon's recent loss of a Resistance commander to a similar Israeli assassination and the ongoing threats and attacks by Israel. 

Péter Szijjártó urged the international community to take necessary measures to de-escalate the situation, highlighting the broader implications for European security, including the potential for increased refugee flows.

Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz announced on Monday that Iran has conveyed its decision to retaliate against Israel.

According to sources, the message was relayed to Israel by Hungarian foreign minister Péter Szijjártó, who informed Katz that he had received this information from Iran's acting foreign minister Baqeri Kani. 

Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s newly-elected President Masoud Pezeshkian and to meet with other leaders of the Axis of Resistance.

Iran has held Israel responsible for the killing of Haniyeh.

Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has vowed a "harsh response" and reiterated Iran's commitment to avenging Haniyeh's death, denouncing the act as a violation of Iran’s sovereignty and a threat to regional peace and stability.