Türkiye’s ambassador to Tehran urges against waiting for Iran’s response to Haniyeh assassination
Türkiye's Ambassador to Tehran, Hicabi Kırlangıç. (Photo by Naser Jafari via Tasnim)
As tensions rise following the assassination of Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh highly likely by Israeli forces in Tehran, discussions continue regarding Iran’s anticipated retaliation.
Amid this uncertainty, a statement from Türkiye’s Ambassador to Tehran, Hicabi Kirlangic, has drawn significant attention.
Türkiye’s stance: No need to wait for Iran’s response
Speaking on the aftermath of Haniyeh’s assassination, Ambassador Kirlangic emphasized that Türkiye has no intention of advising Iran on its course of action.
“We have nothing to say to Iran. Those countries urging Iran not to respond militarily offer no alternative solutions. Iran will make its own decisions,” Kirlangic stated.
He further clarified that waiting for Iran’s response might not be the most sensible approach, noting, “Haniyeh was not an Iranian state official, so it does not make sense to wait for Iran’s actions.”
Background: Haniyeh’s assassination in Tehran
Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’ political bureau, was assassinated in Tehran by Israeli forces, an act that has escalated regional tensions. The Iranian government condemned the assassination as an act of “state terrorism,” criticizing the international community’s silence on what it describes as Israel’s ongoing violations of international law.
Iran’s expected retaliation
Iran’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations hinted at a forthcoming response, stating, “Retaliation for the assassination will certainly come through a special operation. It will be severe and will leave the perpetrator deeply regretful.”
Türkiye’s diplomatic perspective
Ambassador Kirlangic’s comments reflect a pragmatic approach, urging against unnecessary anticipation of Iran’s actions. He reiterated that while Turkiye respects Iran’s sovereignty in making its decisions, waiting for a response might not yield any constructive outcomes.
Kirlangic also highlighted the broader context, stressing that Haniyeh, although assassinated in Iran, was not an Iranian official, implying that any response from Tehran would be based on broader geopolitical considerations rather than a direct obligation.
The Turkish Ambassador also commented on Syria issue: “Türkiye is one of the countries that attach the utmost importance to the territorial integrity of Syria. The disintegration of Syria means further escalation of the crisis in the region and the preservation of Syria’s territorial integrity is always a priority for us and our position on this issue is very open and clear.”
