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Iran's Khamenei promises severe retribution against Israel following the killing of Haniyeh
In a development that has sent shockwaves through the Middle East, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a stern warning to Israel following the assassination of Hamas's political figurehead, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran. The incident, which occurred during Haniyeh's visit for the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian, has dramatically escalated tensions in an already volatile region.
Khamenei, in a forceful statement released on Wednesday, declared, "The criminal and terrorist Zionist regime martyred our dear guest in our house and made us bereaved." He added ominously that Israel had "prepared the ground for a harsh punishment for itself." The Supreme Leader emphasized Iran's commitment to avenging Haniyeh's death, stating, "We consider it our duty to avenge his blood in this bitter and difficult incident that happened in the territory of the Islamic Republic."
The gravity of the situation is underscored by Iran's announcement of three days of public mourning across the country. A funeral ceremony is scheduled for Thursday in Iran, after which Haniyeh's body will be transferred to Doha, Qatar, for burial on Friday, according to a statement from Hamas on their Telegram channel.
Israel has maintained silence on the attack, with ministers and officials reportedly instructed not to comment on Haniyeh's killing. However, it's worth noting that Israel had previously vowed to eliminate Haniyeh and other Hamas figures following the October 7 attack on southern Israel, which resulted in 1,197 fatalities and triggered Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza.
The repercussions of this event extend beyond Iran and Israel. President Pezeshkian has pledged that Iran will "defend its territory" and make the attackers "regret their cowardly action." The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) echoed this sentiment, asserting that the attack demonstrated the "Zionist gang of criminals, murderers and terrorists" had no respect for international norms.
Al Jazeera's Ali Hashem, reporting from Beirut, Lebanon, highlighted the potential for significant regional consequences. "The big question is what Iran will do in response to the attack on its soil," Hashem noted. "The repercussions are going to be big for the whole region. This could mean an Iranian attack on Israel. I cannot imagine what will happen next."
This incident follows a pattern of escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. In April, an Israeli strike on Iran's consulate in Damascus, Syria, resulted in 13 casualties, including an IRGC commander. Iran retaliated with a barrage of missiles and drones targeting Israeli territory.
The assassination of Haniyeh on Iranian soil represents a significant escalation, potentially pushing the region closer to a wider conflict. The international community now watches with bated breath as Iran contemplates its response, with the specter of further violence looming over the Middle East.
As the situation unfolds, the broader implications for regional stability and international diplomacy remain uncertain. The coming days and weeks will be crucial in determining whether this incident will lead to a further escalation of hostilities or if cooler heads will prevail in the face of mounting tensions.