The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran has claimed responsibility for the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh due to an explosion caused by a “short-range projectile.” The IRGC accused Israel and the United States as being behind the attack, while both nations have denied involvement.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Iranian military organization blamed the Zionist regime for the killing, which occurred earlier in Tehran this week. Additionally, the IRGC stated that the United States provided support for the assassination. However, Israeli officials have neither confirmed nor denied their involvement in Haniyeh’s death.
The Iranian military group revealed that an investigation into the attack found that a “terrorist operation was carried out by firing a short-range projectile with a warhead of about seven kilograms” from outside the house where Haniyeh was located. This is in line with a report from the New York Times, which cited Middle Eastern officials and stated that Haniyeh had been killed by a remotely detonated bomb smuggled into the guesthouse two months prior to his death.
The assassination has worsened an already tense security situation in the Middle East. A surprise incursion into Israel by Hamas fighters last October led to an Israeli ground operation in Gaza, resulting in extensive destruction and thousands of deaths. In response to the killing of Haniyeh, Iran vowed harsh punishment for Israel, while the Jewish state’s military has been placed on high alert for potential retaliatory attacks.
The United States, a key ally of Israel, announced that it would be sending additional military assets to the region amid escalating tensions between Iran and the Jewish state. In April, a major escalation between Israel and Iran occurred, leading Tehran to launch a missile and drone strike at Israeli targets; however, officials in West Jerusalem claimed that the damage from the attack was minimal.
The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh has not only intensified the security situation in the Middle East but has also raised concerns about potential repercussions from Iran and other stakeholders in the region. As a result, both Israel and the United States are closely monitoring the situation and preparing for any potential developments or retaliatory measures that may arise.