Numerous governments have condemned the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31. Russia’s first deputy envoy to the UN, Dmitry Polyanskiy, said the assassination was aimed at dragging Iran into a new war. “Those behind this political assassination must have realized how dangerous the ramifications could be for the entire region…. Such attempts to drag Iran into a regional confrontation tend to destabilize the already highly charged atmosphere in the region. The vicious practice of targeted killings of high-profile political and military figures is bringing the Middle East to the verge of a region-wide war.” Polyanskiy said at a UN Security Council meeting on July 31, according to the Russian Mission.
China also condemned the assassination. “China firmly opposes and condemns the act of assassination and is deeply concerned that the incident may plunge the region into greater turmoil,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian yesterday. “China has been calling for settling regional disputes through negotiation and dialogue and an early, comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and there should be no more escalation of the conflict and confrontation.”
