Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran early Wednesday morning after attending the inauguration of Iran’s new president. Both Hamas and Iranian officials have accused Israel of orchestrating the assassination, with Iran’s foreign ministry also attributing responsibility to the U.S., as Israel’s principal ally.
This killing follows another recent strike by Israel that targeted Fuad Shukr, a senior Hezbollah commander, in Beirut. The dual assassinations have intensified concerns that the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict could escalate into a broader regional confrontation involving U.S. interests, given the significant American military presence in the Middle East.
Israel has not confirmed responsibility for Haniyeh’s death, but a U.S. official indicated that both Haniyeh and Shukr were indeed targeted by Israeli strikes. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed retaliation, calling it Tehran’s duty to seek revenge for Haniyeh’s death, which he described as an act of terrorism.
The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the U.S. was not involved or informed in advance about the assassination. U.S. officials are working to prevent further escalation and continue to push for a cease-fire in Gaza, despite the heightened tensions.
The assassination of Haniyeh, who was a key figure in cease-fire negotiations, is expected to complicate ongoing mediation efforts. The government of Qatar has expressed concerns that this act will undermine peace efforts and exacerbate regional instability.
Hamas has condemned the assassination, labeling Haniyeh a martyr and accusing Israel of committing a cowardly act. The killing comes amid ongoing violence in Gaza and the West Bank, with Haniyeh having spent recent years in Qatar. His death follows a recent Israeli airstrike in Gaza that had previously targeted members of his family.
Hezbollah has also expressed outrage over the recent strike in Beirut, which resulted in multiple civilian casualties, including women and children. The group has pledged to seek revenge and emphasized that Haniyeh’s death will only strengthen regional resistance against Israel.