Top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated by an explosive device that had been covertly smuggled into the guesthouse in Tehran where he was staying, reports suggest.
The bomb was concealed approximately two months before Haniyeh's visit, indicating a premeditated operation.
Haniyeh traveled to Iran for the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian and was accommodated in a guesthouse operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in a posh area of northern Tehran.
This location was a familiar one for Haniyeh, who had frequently stayed there during previous visits.
The attack occurred when the bomb was detonated remotely after confirmation of Haniyeh's presence in his room.
The blast killed Haniyeh and a bodyguard, causing significant damage to the building, shattering windows, and partially collapsing an exterior wall.
Initial speculation surrounding the assassination suggested the possibility of an Israeli missile strike; however, the operation capitalized on a security lapse that enabled the bomb to be planted and undetected for several weeks.
While Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for the assassination, the New York Times reported that Israeli intelligence officials briefed the United States and other Western governments about the operation's details.
However, Secretary of State Antony Blinken denied that the U.S. had any prior knowledge of the assassination plot.
In Tehran, a public funeral ceremony for Haniyeh was conducted, drawing large crowds of mourners who paid their respects. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, led prayers for Haniyeh, previously threatening "harsh punishment" in response to the assassination.
A separate funeral ceremony is scheduled to take place in Qatar on Friday, where Arab and Islamic leaders, alongside representatives from other Palestinian factions and the public, are expected to gather.
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