Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran, Iran, on Wednesday, according to a statement released by the group. Haniyeh, who had been living in exile in Qatar since 2019, was in Tehran to attend the inauguration ceremony of Iranian President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed the incident but did not provide details on the cause of death, stating that it is currently under investigation. Hamas blamed Israel for the assassination, claiming Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli raid on his residence in Tehran.
Haniyeh’s death comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with Israel suspected of carrying out a series of targeted assassinations against Iranian nuclear scientists and officials in recent years. The incident is likely to escalate tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as Hamas, which has vowed to retaliate for Haniyeh’s killing.
The top Hamas leader in Gaza, Yehya Sinwar, who masterminded the October 7 attack, is now expected to take on a more prominent role within the organization. Iran has pledged to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.
The international community is watching the situation closely, with many leaders condemning the assassination and calling for restraint.The assassination of Haniyeh marks a significant escalation in the region’s ongoing conflict, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming days.