International
Hamas Leader Killed from Close Range, Iran Says
Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed by a “short-range projectile” fired from outside his guesthouse in Tehran, according to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The IRGC described the projectile, which weighed about 7kg (16lbs), as causing a “strong blast” that resulted in the deaths of Haniyeh and his bodyguard last Wednesday.
Haniyeh was in the Iranian capital for the inauguration of President Massoud Pezeshkian.
The IRGC has blamed Israel for orchestrating the assassination with the support of the US, though Israel has not made any statements regarding Haniyeh’s death.
This account contradicts Western media reports that suggest Israeli operatives planted explosives in the guesthouse.
The incident has led to significant embarrassment for Iran and the IRGC, especially considering the intense security measures in place during Haniyeh’s visit.
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Following the assassination, numerous IRGC officers have been arrested or dismissed, as reported by the New York Times.
The IRGC’s intelligence agency has now taken over the investigation, interrogating staff members at the guesthouse and confiscating their electronic devices.
The IRGC’s official statement contrasts with reports from the Daily Telegraph and New York Times, which indicate that Mossad agents planted explosives in Haniyeh’s room.
These reports suggest that the agents entered the guesthouse, planted the bombs, and left the country before detonating the devices remotely.
Hamas officials told the BBC that Haniyeh had frequently stayed at the guesthouse during his up to 15 visits to Iran since 2017. Regardless of the method of his assassination, both Iran and Hamas have vowed to retaliate.
The IRGC has promised that Israel will face “a severe punishment at the appropriate time, place and manner.”
Hezbollah, another Iranian-backed group, has also threatened reprisals, following the recent killing of their commander Fuad Shukr by an Israeli strike.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led prayers for Haniyeh on Thursday but was swiftly taken away by his security detail. This assassination has led to overhauls in the security details of Iranian politicians.
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