Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said a short-range projectile was behind the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and accused the United States of supporting the attack which it blamed on Israel, state TV reported Saturday. The televised statement, which reiterated a call for retaliation, said a rocket with a seven-kilogram (about 15-pound) warhead was used to target the residence of Hamas’ political leader in the capital Tehran on Wednesday, adding it caused heavy devastation. It didn’t share details of the residence’s location.
Quick Read
- Iran’s Revolutionary Guard reports Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed by a short-range projectile in Tehran.
- Blame on Israel and the U.S.: The Guard accused Israel, supported by the U.S., of the attack.
- Details of the attack: A rocket with a 7-kilogram warhead targeted Haniyeh’s residence, causing heavy damage.
- Haniyeh’s presence in Iran: He was attending the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
- Retaliation vowed: The Guard promised harsh punishment for Israel at an appropriate time and place.
- Israel’s response: Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement but previously vowed to target Hamas leaders.
- Regional conflict fears: The assassination has heightened concerns about a wider conflict and potential direct confrontation between Israel and Iran.
- Past confrontations: In April, Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel after suspected Israeli strikes in Syria killed two Iranian generals.
- Iran’s stance: Iran does not recognize Israel and supports militant groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
The Associated Press has the story:
Iran says a short-range projectile killed Hamas’ Haniyeh, reiterates vows of retaliation
Newslooks- TEHRAN, Iran (AP) —
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said a short-range projectile was behind the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and accused the United States of supporting the attack which it blamed on Israel, state TV reported Saturday. The televised statement, which reiterated a call for retaliation, said a rocket with a seven-kilogram (about 15-pound) warhead was used to target the residence of Hamas’ political leader in the capital Tehran on Wednesday, adding it caused heavy devastation. It didn’t share details of the residence’s location.
Haniyeh was in Iran to attend the inauguration of newly elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. “The action was designed and carried out by the Zionist regime and supported by the U.S.,” said the Guard’s statement. It added that “the warmongering and terrorist Zionist regime will receive harsh punishment in the suitable time, place, and capacity.”
Israel has not confirmed or denied its role in the killing of Haniyeh, but Israel earlier pledged to kill him and other Hamas leaders over the group’s Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza. The assassination has sparked fears of a wider regional conflict and of a direct confrontation between Israel and Iran if Tehran retaliates.
In April, Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel, which said it intercepted 99%. The barrage came less than two weeks after a suspected Israeli strike in Syria killed two Iranian generals, and it marked the first time Iran had launched a direct military assault on Israel despite decades of enmity dating back to the country’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran does not recognize Israel and supports anti-Israeli militant groups including Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
