Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas’ political bureau, was killed in an attack in Tehran on Wednesday.
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards died when their residence was struck in Tehran. A high-level probe was underway, with details expected to be announced later in the day.
Hamas, a Palestinian resistance movement governing parts of Israeli-occupied Gaza, confirmed Haniyeh’s death, with development expected to further escalate the regional tensions.
Haniyeh was in Tehran for the inauguration of the Iranian president-elect, Masoud Pezeshkian.
Hamas issued a statement saying that its leader was killed in “a treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran”, according to Reuters.
“Early this morning, the residence of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran was struck, resulting in his and one of his bodyguards’ martyrdom. The cause is under investigation and will be announced soon,” the Iran Revolutionary Guards said.
Senior Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk said the assassination of Haniyeh was a “cowardly act that will not go unpunished”.
