Report: UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting over Haniyeh assassination

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency session today (Wednesday) to address the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran. The session will take place at 11 PM Israel time, according to the Times of Israel.

The session was requested by Iran and supported by China, Algeria, and Russia, the latter of which presides over the council at the current time.

Iran’s Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saied Iravani had previously circulated a letter today to the Security Council, demanding that it act swiftly against Israel for its "violations" of international law in targeting Hezbollah leader Fuad Shukr and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, according to Iran state media outlet IRNA.

The letter demanded that such action include "the potential imposition of sanctions and other measures aimed at preventing further aggression, and to demand that Israel immediately cease its aggressive actions and comply fully with its obligations under international law, including respect for the sovereignty of other nations and the protection of civilian lives."

Iravani also accused the United States of providing authorization and vital intelligence support for the assassination of Haniyeh, and said that Iran would not hesitate to use its right of self-defense against Israel for the operation carried out on its soil.