Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed after his residence was targeted in Tehran, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed in a statement early Wednesday.
The statement by the IRGC’s Public Relations Department said the attack was carried out early Wednesday, adding that a probe is underway to find the cause of the incident.
The statement offered condolences to the people of Palestine, the Muslim world, and the Resistance Front’s fighters over the Hamas leader’s death.
Earlier on Tuesday, Haniyeh had attended the inauguration of Iran’s new president and met Iran’s Supreme Leader.
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Hamas says Israel was behind Haniyeh’s assassination
A statement by Hamas says a “treacherous Israeli raid” killed the Palestinian group’s politburo chief in Tehran.
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Hezbollah MP: Israel wants war, and we are ready for It
A member of parliament from Lebanese armed group Hezbollah said on Wednesday that his group would be ready to fight a war with Israel, after an Israeli strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut targeted Hezbollah’s top military commander.
Ali Ammar spoke to local broadcasters amid the ruins of Tuesday’s strike.
The Tuesday airstrike killed Fuad Shukr, the “right-hand man” of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah who served as his adviser for planning and directing wartime operations, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.
Syria says Haniyeh’s hit will ignite a regional conflagration
The Syrian Foreign Ministry has held Israel responsible for the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, warning that this attack could potentially lead to “the ignition of the entire region.”
Killing of Haniyeh highlights Israel’s deep intel and operational sway in Iran
Kambiz Ghafouri, a journalist, commented on the circumstances surrounding the death of Ismail Haniyeh, stating that the attack demonstrates Israel’s significant intelligence penetration in Iran, as it required meticulous planning days in advance.
Speaking to Iran International, Ghafouri mentioned that if the attack was carried out using guided drones within Iran, it implies that Israel has operational forces inside Iranian territory.
He added that if the airstrike was executed by precision-targeting fighter jets originating from another country, as some reports suggest, it would still indicate Israel’s operational capabilities within Iran’s borders.
Iran declares three days of public mourning
Following the death of Ismail Haniyeh, the government has announced three days of public mourning in Iran.
IRGC threatens ‘harsh’ response after killing of Ismail Haniyeh
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a second statement on Wednesday condemning the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas political bureau, and one of his bodyguards in Tehran.
The IRGC blamed “the Zionist regime” for the attack and declared that this “crime” will be met with a “harsh and painful response” from the Resistance Front, particularly from Iran.
Iran’s First VP: Haniyeh’s assassination aimed at creating regional crisis
Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref stated in a message that the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh was driven by “sinister objectives,” aimed at creating a new crisis in the region and complicating the regional and international relations of Iran, particularly at the onset of the new administration’s term.
Iran, its ‘resistance’ forces to seek justice for Haniyeh’s death – Parliament speaker
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, announced on his X account that “Iran and the Resistance Front will not disregard the blood” of Ismail Haniyeh.
Turkish President Erdogan condemns killing of Haniyeh
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the killing of Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
In a statement on X, Erdogan denounced the act as a “treacherous assassination”. He said that “Zionist actions” will not help to achieve their goals.
Hamas armed wing warns of ‘major repercussions’
The armed wing of Hamas said on Wednesday that the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran would “take the battle to new dimensions” and have major repercussions.
Jordan condemns killing of Ismail Haniyeh
The Jordanian government has condemned the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, stating that the act violates international law and escalates tensions in the region.
In a statement, the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the incident could lead to further chaos and instability in the Middle East.
Haniyeh to be buried in Qatar
Qatari sources have reported that the funeral and burial ceremony for Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’s political bureau, will be held on Friday in Doha, Qatar.
IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency also reported that a procession ceremony will be held in Tehran for Ismail Haniyeh. The ceremony is likely to take place on Thursday.
Khamenei warns of retaliation against Israel
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said in a statement following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran that “The criminal and terrorist Zionist regime, with this action, has paved the way for severe punishment for itself.”
“We consider it our duty to seek justice for him, who was martyred within the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he added.
Iran prosecutor’s office warns people against posts about Haniyeh hit
In a statement regarding the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the Prosecutor General’s Office warned journalists and social media users to refrain from discussing topics that “disrupt the psychological security of society.”
The office also instructed security agencies to monitor cyberspace and report any media outlets or individuals who “spread rumors or disrupt psychological security” to the judiciary.
The statement reads: “Those who, through irresponsible remarks, dissemination of false information, spreading lies, and insults, disturb the psychological security of society will be dealt with according to the law.”
Al Arabiya identifies Haniyeh’s bodyguard killed in Tehran
Al Arabiya reported that the bodyguard of Ismail Haniyeh, who was also killed alongside him in Tehran, is identified as Wasim Abu Shaban.
Yemeni Houthis declare three days of mourning for Haniyeh’s death
The Yemeni Houthis have announced a three-day public mourning period following the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Israel has long been able to operate within Iran or launch air attacks
Since at least 2010, Israel has allegedly conducted dozens of attacks inside Iran, including sabotage of sensitive nuclear and military installations, as well as assassinations of experts and individuals deemed a threat.
Israeli attacks became more frequent from July 2020, when a huge explosion took place in the Natanz uranium enrichment site in central Iran, destroying one of the buildings. In November of the same year, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a prominent official in Iran’s nuclear program, was assassinated in a roadside attack near Tehran. Western and Israeli intelligence had long suspected that Fakhrizadeh was the father of Iran’s covert nuclear weapons program.
Many small and bigger attacks on various targets have occurred since Fakhrizadeh’s assassination, which allegedly involved a high-tech, remote operated machine gun. Israel has never acknowledged its involvement in any of these attacks, but it is widely believed that many incidents at military and industrial sites were the result of either Israeli sabotage or drone attacks.
Since at least 2010, Israel has allegedly conducted dozens of attacks inside Iran, targeting sensitive nuclear and military installations and carrying out assassinations of individuals deemed a threat.
These attacks became more frequent after July 2020, when a massive explosion occurred at the Natanz uranium enrichment site in central Iran, destroying one of the buildings. In November of that year, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a key figure in Iran’s nuclear program, was assassinated in a roadside attack near Tehran. Western and Israeli intelligence had long suspected Fakhrizadeh of being the architect of Iran’s covert nuclear weapons program.
Since Fakhrizadeh’s assassination, which reportedly involved a high-tech, remote-operated machine gun, numerous small and large-scale attacks have continued to target various sites. While Israel has never acknowledged its involvement, it is widely believed that many incidents at military and industrial sites were the result of Israeli sabotage or drone attacks.
Iran has on many occasions claimed that it has unmasked and demolished Israeli infiltrators, most recently in July. But few observers believe these claims, as Iran has never produced concrete evidence of success against Israeli covert operations.
China, Russia condemn assassination of Hamas leader
China firmly opposes and condemns the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Wednesday, adding that the incident could lead to further regional instability.
Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said, “This is an absolutely unacceptable political murder, and it will lead to further escalation of tensions.”
Iranian president vows retaliation after killing of Hamas leader
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has vowed that the Islamic Republic will defend its territorial “integrity, dignity, honor, and pride,” promising to make the “terrorist occupiers” regret their actions.
His statement follows the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran early Wednesday.
“Yesterday, I raised his victorious hand, and today I have to carry him on my shoulders for his funeral,” Pezeshkian added.
Hezbollah: Haniyeh’s death strengthens our resolve against Israel
Iran-backed Hezbollah of Lebanon issued a statement declaring that the death of Ismail Haniyeh has “reinforced the fighters’ determination in all areas of resistance and strengthened their resolve to confront the enemy.”
The statement honored Haniyeh as “one of the great leaders of the resistance era” who “bravely stood against the US domination and Israeli occupation.”
Haniyeh’s hit is a severe blow to Tehran’s prestige
Mohammad Ghaedi, an international relations expert, suggested that the Islamic Republic is likely to mobilize its resistance forces and bring them onto the streets of Tehran in response to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh.
Ghaedi told Iran International, “Haniyeh, formerly the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, is the highest-ranking Palestinian official ever to be assassinated, posing a significant challenge to Tehran’s prestige.”
According to Ghaedi, the Islamic Republic may attempt to bring the issue to the United Nations Security Council and demonstrate its power regionally and domestically by mobilizing its forces and showcasing them in public displays.
Qatar says killing of Haniyeh is a dangerous escalation
Qatar strongly condemned killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, warning that the assassination is a dangerous escalation.
Meeting scheduled over Haniyeh’s death in Tehran
The spokesperson for the National Security Committee of Islamic Republic’s parliament announced that it will hold a meeting regarding the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Ebrahim Rezaei, the spokesperson for the committee, expressed his condolences over the death of Ismail Haniyeh in an interview with Tasnim News Agency. He stated, “The Zionist regime, in a cowardly and desperate act, assassinated Ismail Haniyeh, the prominent leader of Palestinian resistance, which is a sign of the regime’s desperation and inability.”
He added that the National Security Committee will hold a meeting to examine this development with the presence of all relevant agencies, and the results will be made public.
Israeli Air Force about to show its range, pundit tweeted before Haniyeh’s hit
Richard Goldberg, a senior advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, tweeted “The Israeli Air Force is about to demonstrate its range tonight” hours before Haniyeh’s assassination.
Israel would ‘pay a heavy price’ – Former IRGC general
A former commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Mohsen Rezaie, warned on Wednesday that Israel would “pay a heavy price” for assassinating Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Iranian state media reported.
Taliban express condolences over Haniyeh’s death
The Taliban government in Afghanistan expressed condolences over the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, saying, “The martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh leaves a great sorrow for the Ummah, but it also heralds the demise of the usurping Zionists.”
The statement extended sympathies to his family and the entire Islamic community.
Taliban’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Haniyeh during Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s inauguration in Tehran, July 30, 2024 Hamas leader killed with a missile fired from abroad – Hezbollah media
Al-Mayadeen, a news outlet affiliated with the Hezbollah, said the Hamas leader was assassinated with a “missile fired from abroad,” citing an unnamed Iranian official.
The official called it an act of “aggression against Iran” which “necessitates a decisive response.”
Iran’s Nournews says “further investigations are underway to determine the details of this terrorist operation like the location from which the projectile was launched.”
The website, close to Iran’s Supreme Council of National Security, added that “crossing Iran’s redlines has always been costly for the enemy”
Turkey says Haniyeh’s killing aimed at igniting regional war
The Turkish foreign ministry in a statement condemned the “heinous” assassination of Hamas Political Bureau Chief, saying “it once again made it clear that the Netanyahu government has no intention of achieving peace.”
The statement said, “This attack also aims to spread the war in Gaza to a regional scale. If the international community does not act to stop Israel, our region will face much larger conflicts.”
Haniyeh killed after being hit by ‘aerial projectile’: IRGC media
Ismail Haniyeh was killed after being hit by an “aerial projectile” in his residence in northern Tehran at 02:00 am (local time), the IRGC-affiliated Fars News reported, without giving further details about the projectile.
Hamas leader last seen visiting ‘Resistance’ theme park in Tehran
Russia says Haniyeh’s ‘unacceptable’ killing to escalate tensions
The killing of Hamas’ chief political leader is “an absolutely unacceptable political murder”, a deputy Russian foreign minister told RIA state news agency on Wednesday.
“This is an absolutely unacceptable political murder, and it will lead to further escalation of tensions,” RIA cited Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov as saying.
Haniyeh’s blood not shed in vain, Iran says in first reaction
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a statement that Haniyeh’s killing will “strengthen the deep and unbreakable bond between Iran, Palestine, and the resistance.”
“Undoubtedly, the pure blood of this resolute fighter was not (shed) in vain,” Nasser Kanaani said in Iran’s first official reaction to the assassination.US says will help Israel defend itself if attacked
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday he did not think a wider war in the Middle East was inevitable, referring to rising tensions in the region.
Speaking during a visit to the Philippines, Austin also said the US would help defend Israel if it were attacked.
“We don’t want to see any of that happen. We’re going to work hard to make sure that we’re doing things to help take the temperature down, and address issues through diplomatic means,” Austin told reporters.
Back in April, the US military successfully helped Israel stop a massive wave of Iranian missiles and drones.
Oil prices surge over 1% on report of Haniyeh’s assassination
Oil prices surged in Asian trading on Wednesday following reports of Haniyeh’s death in a suspected Israeli strike in Iran’s capital, potentially signaling increased tensions in the Middle East, Investing.com reported.
By 03:05 GMT, Brent oil futures for September delivery rose 1% to $79.45 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude futures increased 1.2% to $75.64 a barrel,
Iran holding emergency national security meeting: Reports
Iran is holding an emergency meeting of its Supreme National Security Council at the supreme leader’s residence, an event that happens during extraordinary circumstances, New York Times reported citing two Iranian officials.
The IRGC Quds Force chief, Esmaeil Qa’ani, is also attending the meeting, the report said.
Iran’s top security body will decide about Iran’s strategy in reaction to Haniyeh’s assassination in Tehran, Reuters reported, citing unnamed sources.
Haniyeh’s killing ‘dangerous’ development: Palestinian President
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, calling it a “cowardly act and a dangerous development
Yemen’s Houthis say ready to pay any price in war on Israel
“We have entered into a full-scale war for the liberation of Quds and are ready to pay any price in this path,” Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis said in a statement on the assassination in Tehran of Ismail Haniyeh.
Hamas official calls Haniyeh’s killing ‘grave escalation’
The assassination of Hamas leader in Iran is a grave escalation that will not achieve its goals, Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters.
Even Iran’s IRGC couldn’t save Hamas chief: Congressman
Haniyeh’s death makes world ‘a little better’: Israeli minister
“This is the right way to clean the world from this filth. No more imaginary “peace”/surrender agreements, no more mercy for these mortals,” Israeli Heritage Minister Amihai Eliyahu said in a post on his X account in reaction to Haniyeh’s assassination.
“The iron hand that will strike them is the one that will bring peace and a little comfort and strengthen our ability to live in peace with those who desire peace. Haniyeh’s death makes the world a little better,” he added.
Last photos of Haniyeh in Tehran
Haniyeh killed hours after praising Iran’s support for Hamas
The Palestinian leader was assassinated hours after praising Tehran’s support for Hamas and Palestine during his meeting with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian.
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