TEHRAN, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Iran has said its response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh would be given in a way least anticipated by Israel, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Wednesday.
Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations in New York made the remarks in response to a question by The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday night whether Tehran is deliberately postponing its retaliation against Israel for Haniyeh's assassination until the result of the ongoing talks on the achievement of a ceasefire in Gaza becomes clear, the report said.
The mission said Iran's response should achieve two clear results: firstly, it should punish the "aggressor for the terrorist action and violation of Iran's national sovereignty," and secondly, it should increase the country's deterrence power and make Israel "greatly" regret its action, thus preventing the recurrence of any "aggression" in the future.
It noted that Iran's response should also be given in a way to avoid possible negative impacts on the achievement of a potential truce in Gaza.
The mission said, "Iran's response would probably come at a time and in a condition and manner least expected by Israel; perhaps when their eyes are fixed on the sky and radar's screen, they would be taken by surprise from the ground, or a combination of these two."
Haniyeh, who visited Iran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, was killed on July 31 along with his bodyguard when their residence in Tehran was attacked. Iran has blamed Israel for the attack and has promised a strong response. Israel has not confirmed or denied its involvement in the attack.
