In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful   31 July 2024   Excellency, I write to inform you, with utmost grief and abhorrence, the cowardly assassination of Mr. Ismail Haniyeh, the political chief of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS), and a great leader of the Palestinian people's legitimate struggle for self-determination, as the result of an aggressive act of terrorism by the Zionist occupying regime of Israel. Mr. Haniyeh who was in Tehran to attend the Tuesday's inauguration ceremony of the new President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, was targeted, alongside his companion, in his residence in Tehran at around 2:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday 31 July 2024. This act of terror is just another manifestation of Israeli's decades-long pattern of terrorism and sabotage targeting Palestinians and other supporters and sympathizers of the Palestinian cause across the region and beyond. The Islamic Republic of Iran condemns in the strongest possible terms this obnoxious terrorist act as a most serious violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations as well as a grave breach of Iran's Sovereienty and national security. This aggressive act of terrorism, as provocative as it is, constitutes a serious breach of peace and security and requires immediate and effective intervention by the UN Security Council in discharge of its responsibilities under the Charter. I would like, therefore, to request that the Security Council convene an urgent meeting to address this unlawful terrorist act by the Israeli regime and to hold the occupying regime accountable including for its continuing acts of terrorism across the region that pose serious threats to international peace and security.   While cognizant of its insurmountable role in preserving regional peace and security, the Islamic Republic of Iran stands determined to take every necessary measures to defend its national security and sovereignty against any transgressions. The Islamic Republic of Iran calls upon all UN member States to adhere to their legal and moral duties and stand united in countering the lawless behavior by an occupying and racist rogue entity that persists, with impunity, in its genocidal campaign in the occupied Palestine and sees no limit in spreading terror and violence in the region. Ali Bagheri Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran   H.E. Vassily Nebebzia President of the Security Council United Nations, New York   CC: H.E. Mr. Antonio Guterres  Secretary-General United Nations, New York