The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran announced Wednesday that the leader of the Hamas terrorist organization, Ismail Haniyeh, was assassinated along with his accompanying bodyguard in Tehran.
Foreign Desk News reports while Iran’s regime officials have not given any details on how the 62-year-old was killed, but state media in the Islamic Republic have been blaming Israel for arranging his death.
A spokesperson for Hamas expressed similar sentiments in a statement that claimed he was dispatched in “a treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran.”
Haniyeh lives in Qatar, but was in Tehran to attend the Tuesday inauguration of newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The Associated Press reports U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has spoken with the prime minister of Qatar, a key mediator in cease-fire talks for Gaza. The State Department says Blinken “emphasized the importance of continuing to work to reach a cease-fire to the conflict in Gaza that would secure the release of hostages, alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people and unlock the possibility of broader stability.”
Blinken also said the U.S. would keep working to ensure a deal is reached in the 10-month war.
CNN reports Haniyeh was the second leader of an Iran-backed group assassinated in the past day, following the killing by Israel of a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed to avenge Haniyeh’s death. “You killed our dear guest in our house and now have paved the way for your harsh punishment,” he said, referring to Israel. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US was “not aware of or involved in” the killing of Haniyeh.
Israel has neither confirmed nor denied being behind the Haniyeh assassination. However, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, referring to the Beirut attack, said Israel did not seek war but was “preparing for all possibilities.”
Hamas spokesperson and deputy head Khalil al-Hayya said Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was hit directly by a rocket in the room where he was staying in Tehran, and that Hamas’ military wing the Al Qassam Brigades would not let the killing “go unaccounted for.”
Earlier in the day, Iranian state media reported that Haniyeh was killed by an “airborne guided projectile,” though it was unclear what form that took.
Speaking at a press conference in the Iranian capital, al-Hayya said Israel would “pay the price for heinous crime” of assassinating Haniyeh.
Israel has not claimed responsibility for Haniyeh’s death.
