International condemnation has poured in following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas' political bureau, on Wednesday. Haniyeh was killed in Tehran, Iran, in an attack that Hamas blamed on Israel.

Qatar:

Qatar, where Haniyeh (62) had been residing, expressed "strong condemnation" of his killing, calling it a "heinous crime and a dangerous escalation."

Russia:

Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister, stated on Wednesday that Haniyeh's death was "an absolutely unacceptable political crime."

"This is an absolutely unacceptable political murder, and it will lead to further escalation of tensions," Bogdanov told the Russian news agency.

He added that Haniyeh's killing would have negative repercussions on ceasefire talks in Gaza.

Turkey:

Turkey condemned Haniyeh's assassination in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Wednesday, saying the attack aimed to expand the war from Gaza to a regional level.

"It once again shows that the (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu government has no intention of achieving peace," Turkey's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Iran:

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi declared that Tehran would make the "terrorist occupiers" regret their "cowardly act" of assassinating Haniyeh.

Official media quoted Raisi as saying that his country "will defend its dignity and the safety of its territory."

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani stated on Wednesday that "Haniyeh's blood will not be shed in vain."

Official Iranian media quoted Kanaani as saying that Haniyeh's killing in Tehran "will strengthen and deepen the close relationship between Tehran, Palestine, and the resistance."

Hamas and Iran's Revolutionary Guards issued separate statements confirming Haniyeh's death in Tehran on Wednesday, without providing further details.

China:

China's Foreign Ministry, commenting on Haniyeh's killing, said "China opposes and condemns the assassination."

It added that "China always advocates for the resolution of regional disputes through negotiations and dialogue."

"A ceasefire must be implemented as soon as possible to avoid further escalation and confrontation," it continued.

Other Reactions:

Sami Abu Zuhri, head of Hamas' foreign political department, said that "the assassination of (...) Haniyeh is a major escalation aimed at breaking the will of Hamas and the Palestinian people and achieving false goals. We affirm that this escalation will fail to achieve its objectives."

He added, "Hamas is an idea and an institution, not individuals, and we will continue on this path, no matter the sacrifices, and we are confident of victory."

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas strongly condemned Haniyeh's killing, calling it a "cowardly act and a dangerous development."