Iran’s envoy to the UN affirmed that his country will retaliate for the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran “when it deems necessary and appropriate,” Anadolu Agency reports.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran reserves its inherent right to self-defense in accordance with international law to respond decisively to this terrorist and criminal act when it deems necessary and appropriate,” Amir Saeid Iravani told the Security Council.

Saying that Haniyeh’s death was the “result of an aggressive act of terrorism by the Zionist occupying regime of Israel,” Iravani described the attack as a continuation of Israel’s terrorist and sabotage activities in the region.

He condemned the attack “in the strongest possible terms.”

Iravani also reaffirmed Iran’s “commitment to upholding international law and the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.”