TEHRAN, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani said on Monday that his country's right to respond to the assassination of Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh and the pursuit of a ceasefire in Gaza were two separate issues.

He made the remarks at a weekly press conference in Tehran while responding to a question about whether Iran's willingness and determination to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza would affect or delay its response to Haniyeh's assassination on July 31.

Kanaani accused Israel of violating Iran's territorial integrity and national security by assassinating Haniyeh, who was a high-ranking political guest of Iran, and stressed that reaching a ceasefire in Gaza was an international demand and not related to Iran's "legitimate, legal and recognized right to respond to the aggressor and punish Israel for Haniyeh's martyrdom."

Regarding Gaza truce talks, Kanaani noted that the ball was in the court of U.S. and Israel as Hamas had already presented its viewpoints.

Kanaani described Iran as the "most important regional and international supporter" for ending the conflict and reaching a truce in Gaza, noting that the country was still making efforts towards those goals and would support relevant measures. Enditem

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