Hamas’ top political leader is killed in Iran

Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’ top political leader, was assassinated in a predawn airstrike in Tehran, Iran. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard and Hamas attributed the attack to Israel. Haniyeh was in Tehran for the inauguration of Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian. This assassination risks escalating into a broader regional conflict, with Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowing revenge.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not explicitly mention the killing but warned of a heavy price for aggression against Israel. The assassination occurred shortly after an Israeli strike in Beirut killed a top Hezbollah commander, further heightening tensions.

The attack’s timing and location—Tehran—are particularly sensitive, potentially drawing Iran and Israel into direct confrontation. This development complicates ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza and increases the likelihood of regional conflict involving Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed groups. U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, have expressed concerns but hope for diplomatic solutions.

Source: AP News