Tensions Escalate Following Assassination of Hamas Leader in Tehran

Iran has reported that the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran was executed using a “short-range projectile” and a “severe explosion” outside a guest house. This assertion contradicts a source familiar with the incident who informed CNN that Haniyeh was killed by an explosive device hidden within the guest house. The incident has intensified fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East, as both Iran and Hamas accuse Israel of orchestrating the assassination, a claim Israel has neither confirmed nor denied. In the wake of Haniyeh's death, Iran has vowed to seek “blood vengeance,” with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) asserting that the projectile used in the attack had a warhead weighing approximately seven kilograms. According to CNN's source, the bomb was concealed in the guest house two months prior and detonated remotely when Haniyeh was present. U.S. officials were reportedly informed of the operation by Israeli counterparts only after the assassination took place. The IRGC has condemned the act, labeling it as a coordinated effort by the “Zionist regime” and the “criminal American government.” They warned that Israel would face a “severe punishment” in response to this act of aggression, which would be delivered at a strategically chosen time and place. In response to the escalating situation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have heightened their military readiness. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated that IDF forces are prepared for various scenarios, emphasizing their readiness for offensive operations in the immediate future. CNN has reached out to the Iranian government for further comments on the situation.