“The criminal and terrorist Zionist regime has martyred our beloved guest in our midst and left us grieving,” Khamenei stated in a Wednesday announcement, adding that this act has set the stage for a “harsh punishment” against Israel.
He emphasized Iran’s responsibility to retaliate for the assassination of Haniyeh, who was in Tehran for the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian.
“We see it as our duty to avenge his blood following this bitter and difficult event that occurred on the territory of the Islamic Republic,” Khamenei expressed, extending condolences to Haniyeh’s family and the Palestinian faction.
Iran has declared three days of public mourning for Haniyeh, with a funeral service scheduled for Thursday. His body will then be transported to Doha, Qatar, as announced by Hamas via their Telegram channel. He is set to be buried in the Qatari capital on Friday.
While Israel has not yet officially commented on the killing, it has previously indicated intentions to eliminate Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders in response to the October 7 attack that killed 1,197 individuals and sparked an ongoing conflict in Gaza. Israeli media reports suggest that officials have been instructed to refrain from discussing Haniyeh’s death.
According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, over 39,400 people have lost their lives due to Israel’s intense military actions in the region. Pezeshkian asserted that Iran would “defend its territory” and ensure that those responsible would “regret their cowardly actions.”
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) condemned the assault, labeling the perpetrators as “criminals, murderers, and terrorists,” and warned of a severe response from Iran and the broader resistance front. Reporting from Beirut, Ali Hashem noted that the situation could lead to significant regional repercussions, including a potential Iranian attack on Israel.
