Iran rejects western plea not to launch retaliatory attack against Israel

Tehran blames the country for killing of Hamas's political leader Ismail Haniyeh during a visit to Iranian capital

Iran has rejected western calls not to retaliate against Israel for the killing in Tehran of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, late last month.

Such demands lack political logic, are entirely contrary to the principles and rules of international law, and represent an excessive request," Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani said in a statement.