Iran’s UN mission: ‘Hoping our response won’t be to detriment of potential ceasefire’

Asked whether Iran will delay its highly anticipated retaliation for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh until after the next round of ceasefire-hostage talks between Israel and Hamas called for August 15, Iran’s mission to the United Nations says it hopes that Tehran’s response “will be timed and conducted in a manner not to the detriment of the potential ceasefire.”

“Our priority is to establish a lasting ceasefire in Gaza; any agreement accepted by Hamas will also be recognized by us,” the UN mission says in a statement.

“The Israeli regime has violated our national security and sovereignty through its recent act of terrorism. We have the legitimate right to self-defense — a matter totally unrelated to the Gaza ceasefire,” the statement continues. “However, we hope that our response will be timed and conducted in a manner not to the detriment of the potential ceasefire.”

“Direct and intermediary official channels to exchange messages have always existed between Iran and the United States, the details of which both parties prefer to remain untold.”