WASHINGTON (Dispatches) – Iran has rejected a demand by the U.S. and its allies to temper the Islamic Republic’s response to the assassination in Tehran of Hamas’s top political leader, an American report says. 
Iranian prosecutors said they had opened a formal investigation into the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, which came hours after an Israeli strike martyred a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut. The two assassinations escalated a recent cycle of attacks and counterattacks. 
Iranian leaders have vowed to retaliate. The U.S. asked European and other partner governments to convey a message to Iran not to escalate, the Wall Street Journal reported. 
Citing what it described as people involved in the discussions, the paper said Washington signaled that efforts by Iran’s new president to improve engagement with the West would have a better chance if Iran shows restraint. Iran, however, rejected the demand, it said. 
Jordan on Sunday sent its foreign minister to Tehran, and the Lebanese foreign minister was also headed to Cairo to discuss ways to diffuse tensions.
The assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran, who was there to attend the inauguration of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has left no room for restraint by the Islamic Republic.
Sadegh Rahimi, the deputy chief of Iran’s judiciary, said on Saturday that the country’s public prosecutor opened an investigation into Haniyeh’s assassination and issued an order to identify and arrest anyone who was either negligent or knowingly worked with Israel in the terrorist attack, according to the Fars news agency. Some security officials have already been questioned, according to people familiar with the matter.
“Whether Israel has used infiltratory elements, human agents and spies, or it has committed this crime directly are under investigation,” said Rahimi, according to Mehr News.
The Zionist regime and the U.S. are reportedly worried that Iran’s retaliation could be broader and more complex than its assault in April. 
In that attack, Iran fired more than 300 drones and missiles at Zionist targets, only after telegraphing its response to diplomats ahead of time and giving Israel and the U.S. a chance to prepare. But this time, Iran has refused to provide detailed warnings that would help mitigate the impact of any strike. Iran’s Silent Retaliation Plan Alarms Zionists, U.S. 
WASHINGTON (Dispatches) – Iran has rejected a demand by the U.S. and its allies to temper the Islamic Republic’s response to the assassination in Tehran of Hamas’s top political leader, an American report says. 
Iranian prosecutors said they had opened a formal investigation into the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, which came hours after an Israeli strike martyred a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut. The two assassinations escalated a recent cycle of attacks and counterattacks. 
Iranian leaders have vowed to retaliate. The U.S. asked European and other partner governments to convey a message to Iran not to escalate, the Wall Street Journal reported. 
Citing what it described as people involved in the discussions, the paper said Washington signaled that efforts by Iran’s new president to improve engagement with the West would have a better chance if Iran shows restraint. Iran, however, rejected the demand, it said. 
Jordan on Sunday sent its foreign minister to Tehran, and the Lebanese foreign minister was also headed to Cairo to discuss ways to diffuse tensions.
The assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran, who was there to attend the inauguration of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has left no room for restraint by the Islamic Republic.
Sadegh Rahimi, the deputy chief of Iran’s judiciary, said on Saturday that the country’s public prosecutor opened an investigation into Haniyeh’s assassination and issued an order to identify and arrest anyone who was either negligent or knowingly worked with Israel in the terrorist attack, according to the Fars news agency. Some security officials have already been questioned, according to people familiar with the matter.
“Whether Israel has used infiltratory elements, human agents and spies, or it has committed this crime directly are under investigation,” said Rahimi, according to Mehr News.
The Zionist regime and the U.S. are reportedly worried that Iran’s retaliation could be broader and more complex than its assault in April. 
In that attack, Iran fired more than 300 drones and missiles at Zionist targets, only after telegraphing its response to diplomats ahead of time and giving Israel and the U.S. a chance to prepare. But this time, Iran has refused to provide detailed warnings that would help mitigate the impact of any strike.