Iran says a short-range projectile killed Hamas’ Haniyeh and reiterates vows of retaliation

2024-12-25 23:31:31 source:lotradecoin leverage category:Contact

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said a short-range projectile was behind the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and accused the United States of supporting the attack which it blamed on Israel, state TV reported Saturday.

The televised statement, which reiterated a call for retaliation, said a rocket with a seven-kilogram (about 15-pound) warhead was used to target the residence of Hamas’ political leader in the capital Tehran on Wednesday, adding it caused heavy devastation. It didn’t share details of the residence’s location.

Haniyeh was in Iran to attend the inauguration of newly elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

“The action was designed and carried out by the Zionist regime and supported by the U.S.,” said the Guard’s statement. It added that “the warmongering and terrorist Zionist regime will receive harsh punishment in the suitable time, place, and capacity.”

Israel has not confirmed or denied its role in the killing of Haniyeh, but Israel earlier pledged to kill him and other Hamas leaders over the group’s Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza.

RELATED COVERAGE Israel kills militants in the West Bank as a nervous region watches latest on cease-fire talks US to boost military presence in Mideast, sending fighter jet squadron and keeping carrier in region Mourners bury Hamas chief Haniyeh in Qatar as more escalation looms over the Middle East

The assassination has sparked fears of a wider regional conflict and of a direct confrontation between Israel and Iran if Tehran retaliates.

In April, Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel, which said it intercepted 99%. The barrage came less than two weeks after a suspected Israeli strike in Syria killed two Iranian generals, and it marked the first time Iran had launched a direct military assault on Israel despite decades of enmity dating back to the country’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Iran does not recognize Israel and supports anti-Israeli militant groups including Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

More:Contact

Recommend

Sabrina Carpenter Shares Her Self

Sabrina Carpenteris sharing her short n’ sweet self-care routine.The “Espresso” singer, who just fin

When is NFL Week 1? Full schedule for opening week of 2024 regular season

It's the week we've all been waiting for.Real, meaningful NFL games will be played this week, and ev

Coco Gauff's US Open defeat shows she has much work to do to return to Grand Slam glory

NEW YORK — When Coco Gauff talked about doubters and haters fueling her run to the U.S. Open title a