Several Western nations issued stern warnings to Iran yesterday, cautioning against retaliatory actions towards Israel following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’ political bureau, in Tehran.
These developments heighten fears that the conflict in Gaza could escalate into a broader regional war.
French President Emmanuel Macron communicated with Iranian President Masoud Bazarskyan, emphasizing that any further escalation would permanently harm regional stability, urging Tehran to exercise maximum restraint.
Similarly, the foreign ministers of Britain, Switzerland, and Austria warned their Iranian counterpart of the “catastrophic” consequences for the region if Iran were to launch an attack on Israel.
As the world watches closely, the fate of the ceasefire negotiations in Gaza remains uncertain, especially after Hamas appointed Yahya Sinwar as Haniyeh’s successor.
The White House affirmed that Washington’s stance on the negotiations has not changed despite Sinwar’s new leadership.
However, the US administration announced yesterday that Israel and Hamas are still close to reaching a ceasefire agreement, despite rising concerns about the potential for a regional war.
In related news, Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji, speaking at a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, condemned the assassination of Haniyeh as a blatant violation of Iran’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, national security, and international law. He warned that this act poses a threat to regional peace and security.
