Iran rejected intense efforts by US and Arab diplomats to moderate its response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Informed sources say Iranian officials are not concerned whether their response will lead to war.
“We are not concerned whether our response will lead to war,” the publication quoted Iranian officials as saying.
For the record, the tension in the Middle East region increased after the murder of Fuad Shukri, the head of Hezbollah in Beirut, and Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas in Tehran.
Israel killed Shukr, 61, in retaliation for a rocket attack on July 27 that killed 12 children and teenagers in a Druze village in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Hezbollah, which has been trading fire with Israel since October 8, denied any role in the attack.
Iran and Hamas blame Israel for Haniyeh’s murder and vow to take revenge together with Hezbollah.
By Ana Dumbadze
Related story: Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh killed in Iran
