Iran's acting foreign minister says the country has no option but to retaliate against the Israeli assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, saying this is necessary to deter further aggression against the Islamic Republic amid inaction of the UN Security Council.

According to The Iran Project, addressing an emergency ministerial meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Ali Baqeri Kani said Iran has always made maximum efforts to prevent further escalation of tension and conflict in the region, and that now it has no option but to respond to the aggression to deter future attacks.  

"Currently, in the absence of any appropriate action by the Security Council against the aggressions and violations of the Israeli regime, the Islamic Republic of Iran has no option but to use its inherent right to legitimate defense against the aggressions of this regime."

"Such action is necessary to prevent further aggression by this regime against the sovereignty, citizens, and territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran and it will be carried out at the appropriate time and in a proportionate manner."