Tehran, March 23, IRNA -- Iran's government on Tuesday condemned assassination by Israel of Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmad Yasin, saying that Palestinians' continued resistance is the only way to face Israel's brutal policies.

Issuing a six-point statement, Iranian government also stressed further unity among Palestinians against Israeli threats.

The statement said that undoubtedly, Israel's main objective in adopting such measures is to bring the heroic resistance of the Palestinian people into its knees but experience has shown that martyrdom of any Palestinian inhales a new life to other Palestinians, their resistance and Intifadha.

The statement said the "terrorist" incident indicates the US' direct role in Israeli atrocities.

It highly criticized the international organizations and communities, especially certain Arab and Muslim states, for their indifference towards the ongoing events in Palestine as well as Irael's crimes against the defenseless Palestinian people.

It said that international organizations' silence had further encouraged Israel to go on with its policy of assassination and massacre.

It added that Israel has been insisting on its policy of assassination, suppression and insecurity, proving that it considers its life depended on escalation of tension in the occupied lands and the region.

It warned that the US' support for Israel and the global community's silence against Israeli atrocities would undoubtedly result in continued instability, tension and atrocities of Israel in the region.

Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, President Mohammad Khatami, Expediency Council Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Majlis Speaker Mehdi Karroubi, Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, Vice-President Mohammad-Ali Abtahi, government spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi, Leadership envoy in Syria Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini, Friday prayers leaders in Iran, Majlis National Security Commission, Islamic Revolution Martyrs Foundation and Basij have thus far condemned the assassination. Israel on Monday assassinated Hamas founder and spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yasin.

An Israeli warplane fired several missiles at Yasin's car shortly after he performed the dawn prayer at a central Gaza mosque.

Sheikh Yasin and two of his aides were killed instantly. Following his death, thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip took to the streets, shouting "God is Great."

Hamas has vowed to avenge Yasin's death and the movement's leaders said the retaliation would be thunderous.

The Zionist regime claimed responsibility for the murder.

... Payvand News - 3/23/04 ... --