In a powerful and emotional statement, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has vowed to take revenge following the assassination of Hamas’s political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The assassination, attributed to Israeli forces, occurred while Haniyeh was in the Iranian capital to attend the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Khamenei expressed deep grief and outrage in his statement on his verified Twitter account, declaring that the attack on Haniyeh was a criminal and terrorist act by the Zionist regime.
“Following this bitter, tragic event which has taken place within the borders of the Islamic Republic, it is our duty to take revenge,” Khamenei wrote, signaling a strong retaliatory stance.
Haniyeh’s death, which also claimed the life of one of his bodyguards, has sparked significant tension in the region. Hamas condemned the assassination, calling it a “treacherous Zionist raid” and announced a period of mourning.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the incident and stated that an investigation is underway to uncover the details of the attack.
The Israeli government has remained silent, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office instructing officials not to comment on the assassination.
Nevertheless, far-right Israeli Minister Amihai Elihayu praised the attack on social media, asserting that it made the world a better place.
Haniyeh, who had been residing in Qatar since 2019, was known for his pragmatic approach and efforts to broker ceasefires. His assassination is seen as a major escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with the potential to provoke further violence.
Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Gaza, Hani Mahmoud, noted that Haniyeh was highly respected among Palestinians for his leadership and background as a refugee.
Khamenei’s declaration of vengeance has heightened concerns about possible retaliatory actions by Iran. The Supreme Leader’s strong words indicate that Iran may respond forcefully, which could lead to a broader conflict in the already volatile Middle East.
