TEHRAN: Funeral processions in Iran have begun for Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in an air strike in Tehran blamed on arch-foe Israel.
The Islamic Republic’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei will lead the prayers for Haniyeh ahead of his burial in Doha, having earlier threatened a “harsh punishment” for his killing.
In the capital’s city centre, mourning crowds carrying posters of Haniyeh and Palestinian flags gathered at Tehran University on Thursday morning.
Haniyeh’s death was announced the day before by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, who said he and his bodyguard were killed in a strike on their accommodation in the Iranian capital at 2:00 am (2230 GMT) on Wednesday.
Earlier, which neighboring country of Iran has been used to launch the missile strike to assassinate Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran early Wednesday morning?
This crucial aspect of the killing of Hamas chief is being discussed by the security analysts and the inner circles of Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah.
As the Iranian leaders are holding an urgent meeting at this time, it is expected that they would be able to find out their neighboring country involved in the missile strike.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Nournews reported that Ismail Haniyeh’s residence was struck by an “airborne projectile,” suggesting it was hit by a missile.
“Further investigations are underway to determine the details of this terrorist operation,” the report added.
The Iranian government has launched an investigation into the killing, with results expected to be released soon.
A statement from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard’s Sepah news website confirmed that “the residence of Ismail Haniyeh, head of the political office of Hamas Islamic Resistance, was hit in Tehran, resulting in the martyrdom of him and one of his bodyguards.” Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday.
A top Hamas official condemned the assassination as a “cowardly act that will not go unpunished,” according to Hamas-run Al-Aqsa TV.
No one has immediately claimed responsibility for the assassination, but suspicion quickly fell on Israel, which has vowed to kill Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders. Israel has already targeted many of Haniyeh’s close and extended family members during its ongoing operations in Gaza.
Analysts on Iranian state television have pointed fingers at Israel for the attack.
Emergency meeting in Iran
Meanwhile, Iranian leaders are holding an emergency meeting of their Supreme National Security Council at the residence of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to a report by the New York Times, which cites two Iranian officials.
The report highlights that such a meeting occurs only under “extraordinary circumstances.”
Esmail Ghaani, the commander of the Quds Force, which oversees Iran’s proxy groups, is also in attendance, the report states.
Iran state TV has reportedly said that the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh could delay the Gaza ceasefire-hostage deal by several months and provoke retaliation from Iran-backed groups in the region.
The report notes that statements from Iran state TV typically reflect the views of Khamenei and the government.
Earlier, Palestinian group Hamas has released a statement following the assassination of its political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran.
“In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. [And do not think of those who are killed in the way of God as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision.]
The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas mourns the loss of our great Palestinian people, the Arab and Islamic nation, and all the free people of the world: brother, leader, martyr, and Mujahid Ismail Haniyeh.
