Iran holds symbolic funeral for Hamas leader killed in Tehran

Israel's national security council warned Israelis on Thursday to exercise extra caution when travelling abroad and said Iran or its allies Hamas and Hezbollah could target Israeli or Jewish institutions outside the country.

The warning, in a statement issued through the prime minister's office, came amid growing fears in Israel of a attack by its enemies in retaliation for the assassination of senior leaders from Hezbollah and Hamas this week.

Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah said that the war with Israel has entered a “new phase” following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr.

“We are in an open battle on all fronts and the conflict has entered a new phase," Nasrallah said.

He added, "Iran considers Haniyeh's assassination an attack on its honor and dignity because he was a guest...Israel does not know to what extent it has crossed red lines."

Despite several countries urging Hezbollah not to retaliate, Nasrallah warned, "The enemy must wait for revenge."

Nasrallah further denied Hezbollah's involvement in Saturday’s deadly rocket attack on Majdal Shams, calling it "the greatest deception and misinformation."

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during a phone call on Wednesday, asked Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to convey a message to Iran and Hezbollah to "de-escalate and not retaliate" in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, according to a source cited by CNN.

Al Thani agreed to pass on the message, the source said.

A readout of their phone call published by the State Department on Wednesday said Blinken and Al Thani "discussed ongoing tensions in the Middle East" and the "importance of continuing to work to reach a ceasefire to the conflict in Gaza" without mentioning Blinken’s message to Iran and Hezbollah.

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated by an explosive device covertly smuggled into the Tehran guesthouse where he was staying, The new York Times reported citing multiple sources.

The bomb had been hidden approximately two months ago in the guesthouse, and was detonated remotely after he was confirmed to be inside the room, the report said.

IRGC commander Qassem Soleimani’s deputy and former MP, Mansour Haghighatpour, condemned the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran as a grave incident with extensive political, security, and regional ramifications.

Haghighatpour told Rouydad 24 that the killing "casts a negative light on Iran's security officials" and called for accountability among certain political, military, and security officials, suggesting that "some may need to be dismissed."

Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces, stated that Tehran is mulling over the method to avenge the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

He emphasized, "This action will undoubtedly take place. A range of measures must be implemented, and the Zionists will inevitably come to regret it."

Abdollah Ganji, the former editor of the IRGC-linked Javan newspaper, wrote on X that the Islamic Republic has officially informed the Arab countries in the region that if they provide their airspace to Israel, they will become a 'legitimate target.'

Some media outlets attributed this message to Ali Bagheri Kani, the acting foreign minister.

Iran’s president Pezeshkian told Hamas deputy chief in Gaza Khalil Al-Hayya that his government and the leader of the Islamic Republic "will not waver in their support for Palestine."

He emphasized, "We will continue to support and back the axis of resistance with even greater determination."

The term "axis of resistance," coined by the Islamic Republic, refers to its network of proxy forces in the region. This includes Palestinian militant groups, the Syrian regime, the Lebanese militant organization Hezbollah, and various other factions.

A newly unveiled billboard in Tehran features an image of Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, clasping the hand of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas' political bureau, who was assassinated in Tehran on Wednesday.

This image, taken from Pezeshkian and Haniyeh's meeting in the Iranian Parliament during the inauguration ceremony, features a quote from Pezeshkian: "Yesterday, I raised the hand of a victor, and today I must carry him on my shoulders."

The billboard is displayed in Vali Asr Square, a significant symbolic tool for the establishment’s political propaganda.

The Iranian Jewish community condemned the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran as a "terrorist crime" and a "blatant violation of international laws."

In a statement on Thursday, the Tehran central Jewish community expressed that they "eagerly await a decisive and appropriate response to this treacherous assassination."

The Islamic Republic usually exerts considerable pressure on the country’s tiny Jewish community to denigrate Israel.

Following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, the conservative Iranian newspaper Jomhouri-e Eslami criticized the security forces for failing to eliminate infiltrators within their ranks.

The article condemned the focus on "getting revenge" rather than preventing terror acts and recommended a "comprehensive purge of intelligence and security agencies" to safeguard against such assassinations.

Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi, head of the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs, stated during Ismail Haniyeh's funeral that effective deterrence requires actions of equivalent magnitude.

Hashemi, who was also a presidential candidate this year, said, "When a Hamas leader is martyred, one of the main leaders of Israel must be eliminated."

A video of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei leading prayers at the funeral procession for Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard, who were killed in an attack in Tehran, has gone viral on X.

Some users have noted Khamenei’s seemingly unusual glances towards the sky, speculating that he might be searching for drones, reflecting a sense of unease following the reported Israeli attack.

Later, the IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency attempted to justify Khamenei's glances, stating he was looking at an area being reconstructed for Friday prayers.

Just as the US defended itself after 9/11 by going after Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan, "Israel has the right to defend themselves after October 7. They need to have the right to go after their adversaries wherever they're located," Republican Senator Markeayne Mullin told Iran International on the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

According to a NOTAM issued for Iran on Thursday, air defenses have been set up and a no-fly zone has been declared in central Tehran, near the University of Tehran where Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei will say prayers for the body of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh.

The no-fly zone is in effect from 6 AM to 12 PM Tehran time, prohibiting all flights, including drones, the NOTAM shows.

"Israel's assassination of Ismail Haniyeh would not have been possible without the permission and intelligence support of the United States," Iran's ambassador to the UN told a Security Council meeting.

"America's responsibility in this matter cannot be denied," Amir-Saeid Iravani added.

The US was not aware of or involved in the reported assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, the US deputy ambassador to the UN said in an emergency meeting of the UN security council.

Robert Wood asked the UNSC members that can influence Iran to use their influence on the country to de-escalate and reduce tensions in the region.

"Every member of this council should call on Iran to stop arming, advising and financing terrorist groups and to rein in the actions of proxies and partners who threaten regional peace and security," Wood said.

The US is "very worried" about reactions to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, the US deputy ambassador to the UN Robert Wood told Iran International on the sidelines of a security council meeting.

The emergency meeting has been convened at Iran's request.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has ordered a 'direct strike' against Israel, according to a New York Times report citing Iranian officials.

Khamenei spoke of avenging Ismail Haniyeh's blood, shortly after the Hamas leader was assassinated in Tehran.

The New York Times is now reporting that three Iranian officials have confirmed that Khamenei gave the 'retaliation order' at an emergency meeting of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council on Wednesday morning.

The UN security council is about to hold an emergency meeting following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Earlier today, Iran's UN ambassador requested an emergency meeting in a letter to the security council. Russia, China and Algeria have supported the request.

The IRGC-affiliated Sabereen News has released photos of the building where it claims Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was residing when he was assassinated early Wednesday.

The residence is said to be located inside a military camp affiliated with IRGC Quds Force in northern Tehran.

Iran International cannot verify the veracity of this report, but there are signs that may suggest the building in the photo was indeed hit. The dark drape on the side of the building in the photo seems to cover damage. Zooming in on the image, there seems to be debris on the terrace below the drape.

"We don’t believe that an escalation in the Middle East is inevitable, and there’s no signs that an escalation is imminent," White House spokesman John Kirby said following the assassination of two Hamas and Hezbollah leaders in Iran and Lebanon.

He said the US was not in a position to confirm if the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran was Israel’s doing. "I had no conversations around that reporting that I can speak of today," he said in response to reporters, confirming that President Biden was "briefed" the reports of the events in the Middle East.

US Senator Marco Rubio says the world is a better place without Ismail Haniyeh, who led “a group of savages that deliberately targeted and raped, kidnapped and murdered innocent civilians and vowed to do it again.”

Writing on X Wednesday, Rubio also accused Iran of organizing the assassination of dissidents and former US leaders within America, arguing that Tehran “has no right to complain” about the actions taken against individuals like Haniyeh.

The commander of Israel's Air Force, Tomer Bar, warned those who plan "to harm the citizens of the State of Israel," following the assassination of a Hezbollah and a Hamas official in Beirut and Tehran.

“This is another message to our enemy in the entire Middle East," he said in a statement Wednesday, "there is no point that is too far for us to attack,” he said in a statement.

Bar said dozens of Israeli aircrafts are “prepared and ready in a matter of minutes, for any scenario, in any arena."

Following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, a spokesman for UN secretary general issued a statement on his behalf, warning about escalation and urged "all to vigorously work towards regional de-escalation."

Stéphane Dujarric added: "the Secretary-General believes that the attacks we have seen in South Beirut and Teheran represent a dangerous escalation at a moment in which all efforts should instead be leading to a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all Israeli hostages, a massive increase of humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza and a return to calm in Lebanon and across the Blue Line. Rather than that, what we are seeing are efforts to undermine these goals."

Here's a video summary of what politicians around the world said following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a brief televised statement, following to high profile assassinations in Lebanon and Iran in a day.

He did not mention Haniyeh, who was killed early hours of Wednesday in Tehran, but said his country had hit "the three Hs" hard: Houthis, Hamas, Hezbollah.

In what seemed to be an implicit warning against any retaliatory action, he said, "they will pay a price if there is any aggression against us, wherever that theater is."

He also reminded Israelis that the days ahead would be "very challenging."

Iran's former nuclear negotiator threatened Israel with paying a 'heavy price' for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

"Undoubtedly, the Israeli occupying regime...will not achieve its ominous goal of putting obstacles in the path of Iran's new government at the outset of its endeavor."

Araghchi has been deputy foreign minister before and is said to be a serious contender for the top post in Iran's new administration under Masoud Pezeshkian.

Analysts and Hamas officials have told Reuters that Haniyeh's most likely successor is Khaled Meshaal, his deputy-in-exile who lives in Qatar.

Mashal headed Hamas politburo until 2017. He was widely recognized as the organizations top man for more than a decade, following the assassination of Hamas leader Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi in 2004.

Mashal narrowly survived an attempt on his life in Jordan ordered by Netanyahu in 1997.

Analysts say Mashal's relationship with Iran's leaders was not as warm as that of Haniyeh, although he had also travelled to Tehran on several occasions.

Iran's ambassador to the UN has asked the Security Council to convene an emergency meeting to address “Israeli aggression and terrorist attacks”.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran early hours of Wednesday local time. The assassination, Amir Saeid Iravani wrote in a letter Wednesday, "suggests an intention to escalate conflict and expand the war through the entire region."

He urged the international community to take “decisive action" to "hold the perpetrators accountable.”

Following the assassination of Isamil Haniyeh in Tehran, a Houthi official threatened Israel with a “wave of retaliation”.

"[Israel] has crossed very big red lines in the midst of a fierce battle and amidst negotiations,” Nar al-Din Amer, a spokesperson for the Iran-backed armed group, added.

Iranian journalist and political analyst, Jamshid Barzegar, told Iran International that publicizing Haniyeh's trip to Tehran in real time may have helped those who wanted to target him.

"After the October 7 attack, Haniyeh traveled to Tehran several times. In all those previous trips, news of his presence in Tehran and his meetings were published a few days after his trip had ended. The release of this news, contrary to the previous practice, made things somewhat easier for Israel."

He added that Israel's "intelligence oversight" over the leaders of Hamas, Hezbollah, and even Iran is "undeniable".

The Persian text on the banner reads, "Await the harsh revenge." The phrase Harsh Revenge was first coined by Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in 2020, following the assassination of IRGC top commander Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad.

Responding to questions about the assassination of Hamas leader in Tehran, EU external affairs spokesperson Peter Stano said, "the EU has a principled position of rejecting extrajudicial killings and of supporting the rule of law, including in international criminal justice."

He also said that ICC was seeking an arrest warrant against Ismail Haniyeh on charges of war crimes.

The EU has listed Hamas as a terrorist organization.

Stano said the EU is "closely" following the situation in the Middle East, urging "all parties" to avoid escalation.

Without directly naming the parties involved, the UAE expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions in the region.

The UAE's foreign ministry stated that it is "closely monitoring the rapid regional developments" and is worried about the impacts on security and stability.

The statement emphasizes that "enhancing dialogue, adhering to international laws, and respecting the sovereignty of states are the best foundations for resolving current crises."

The UAE calls for resolving disputes through diplomatic means, advocating for an approach that avoids confrontation and escalation.

The body of Hezbollah's military leader Fuad Shukr has been recovered from the debris of the Beirut building struck by an Israeli airstrike last night, Sky News Arabia reported.

Earlier today, Hezbollah had confirmed that Shukr was in the building at the time of the attack but had not officially announced his death. The group reported that civil defense teams were working "diligently but slowly" to clear the rubble and search for survivors.

US Representative Mike Lawler praised the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, stating, "Justice has been served. May all who orchestrated the heinous attack on Israel on October 7th suffer the same fate."

The assassination of Haniyeh follows a series of high-profile attacks, including the Israeli airstrike that killed top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut.

US Congressman Joe Wilson praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday for his actions against leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, whom he described as "Iran’s puppets."

Wilson noted that these groups were responsible for the deaths of dozens of Americans on October 7 and three American reservists in January.

Hamas Spokesperson and Deputy Head Khalil al-Hayya said that Ismail Haniyeh was struck by a rocket while in his room in Tehran.

According to Israel's Channel 12, the attack was carried out using a missile launched from an adjacent building.

Al-Hayya vowed that Hamas' military branch, the Al Qassam Brigades, would hold those responsible for Haniyeh’s death accountable.

Earlier reports from Iranian state media indicated that Haniyeh was killed by an “airborne guided projectile,” though details about the weapon used remain unclear.

Al-Hayya warned that Israel would face consequences for the “heinous crime” of Haniyeh’s assassination. Israel has not acknowledged responsibility for the incident.

US Senator Marco Rubio stated that the world is a better place without Ismail Haniyeh, who led “a group of savages that deliberately targeted and raped, kidnapped and murdered innocent civilians and vowed to do it again.”

He also criticized Iran, accusing it of organizing the assassination of dissidents and former US leaders within America.

Rubio argued that, given this context, Iran “has no right to complain” about the actions taken against individuals like Haniyeh.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong issued a warning about the escalating risk of conflict in the Middle East, advising Australians to leave Lebanon immediately.

In a video message, Wong stated: "My message to Australian citizens and residents in Lebanon is: now is the time to leave. If you are in Australia and thinking of traveling to Lebanon, do not."

Additionally, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a travel advisory urging against all travel to Lebanon.

In a social media post on Wednesday, the FCDO also advised British nationals currently in Lebanon to register their presence on Gov.uk to ensure they receive any necessary updates and support.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz stated on Wednesday that his country is not seeking an "all-out war" and emphasized the need for implementing United Nations Resolution 1701, which ended the last conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.

In a letter sent to numerous international counterparts, Katz urged the immediate enforcement of the resolution to prevent further escalation.

He stressed that global support for Israel is crucial and called for the cessation of Hezbollah’s attacks, its withdrawal north of the Litani River, and its disarmament as per UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Katz also highlighted the plight of tens of thousands of Israeli residents displaced from northern Israel, asserting that their safe return to their homes must be ensured.

Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, said that the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh “will serve as a catalyst for greater unity among the resistance front and the Islamic world, leading to even more painful defeats" for Israel.

Senior Iranian diplomats have vowed that Iran will take significant retaliatory actions in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

Iran’s UN Mission posted on X, stating, “The response to an assassination will indeed be special operations — harder and intended to instill deep regret in the perpetrator.”

Mojtaba Amani, Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, also said that “Iran in return will not allow this region to be prey to the joint US and Israeli administrations.”

Iran’s attorney general has urged Tehran prosecutor's office to establish a special investigation unit to examine all aspects of the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

The directive includes coordination with military and security forces to investigate the incident.

Iran’s acting foreign minister, Ali Bagri Kani, said Iran has the right to respond to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, describing the attack as a "cowardly act" and a “breach of international law and the UN Charter.”

He added on an X message that the assassination will only “bolster the resolve of Palestinians, the Islamic world.”

Iranian state media announced that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei will lead the funeral prayer for Ismail Haniyeh on Thursday morning. The prayer will take place at Tehran University.

After prayers at 8:30am local time (05:00 GMT), the procession will head toward Azadi (Freedom) Square. Haniyeh’s body will then be flown to Doha for burial.

British Foreign Minister David Lammy and Defense Minister John Healey have arrived in Qatar to advance efforts aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza and to advocate for de-escalation throughout the region, according to the British government.

Lammy emphasized the importance of engaging with partners, stating, “It is absolutely vital that we engage closely with partners like Qatar, who play a key role in mediating the conflict in Gaza, so that we can bring this devastating war to an end.”

The UK Foreign Office also released a statement, urging a reduction in tensions across the Middle East and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The Israeli security cabinet has begun its meeting at the Kirya military headquarters, as confirmed by an official.

The discussions will center on evaluating possible responses from Hezbollah and Iran in light of the recent assassinations of top Hamas and Hezbollah leaders.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reaffirmed his support for Israel’s security during a phone call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

According to a Pentagon statement, the two leaders discussed "Israel’s response to Lebanese Hezbollah’s July 27 attack on Israel" and the "ongoing efforts to achieve a diplomatic solution that enables citizens on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border to safely return to their homes."

Austin also “reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to Israel’s security and right to self-defense”, according to the readout.

The Iranian foreign ministry released a statement accusing the United States of being an "accomplice and supporter of Israel in the killing of Ismail Haniyeh."

According to the statement, the Islamic Republic considers a "appropriate response" to this action, which it views as an attack on its "sovereignty and territorial integrity," to be its inherent right.

The ministry further called on countries and international organizations to "seriously and effectively hold Israel accountable" and take necessary political, legal, and punitive measures in support of "the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and their resistance."

An Israeli government spokesman declined to comment on the death of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in the early hours of Wednesday.

"We are not commenting on that particular incident," spokesman David Mencer told a briefing with journalists.

The Tehran Prosecutor's Office announced that several people have been summoned due to their social media posts regarding the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh.

Without specifying names, the office stated that warnings were issued to the individuals, and legal cases have been initiated against some of them.

The pro-Iran Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) of Iraq stated that the assassination of Haniyeh "will strengthen the resolve of the resistance fighters to continue on their path."

Earlier in the day, Iraq has condemned "in the strongest terms" the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh. In a statement, the Iraqi foreign ministry described the move as an "aggressive operation". The ministry called on the international community to take responsibility and implement measures to halt “repeated attacks”.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based NGO with extensive sources in Syria, has reported the sound of an explosion in the Sayyidah Zaynab area, known for a significant presence of forces associated with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Afshin Shahi, an international relations professor at Keele University, talked to Iran International about the potential impact of Ismail Haniyeh's assassination on the regional balance of power.

He noted that despite the strong rhetoric from Russia and China condemning the assassination, Moscow might feel more satisfied with the outcome.

Shahi explained, "We are witnessing the exposure of deeper security fissures within the Islamic Republic, making the regime feel more vulnerable."

According to the professor, in such circumstances, Iran is likely to adopt a more flexible stance toward countries like China and especially Russia.

Kamran Matin, a professor of international relations at the University of Sussex, told Iran International that the death of Ismail Haniyeh is likely to result in the appointment of new leaders within Hamas's political wing who will adopt a more hardline stance towards Israel.

According to Matin, Haniyeh's killing will have a direct impact on the ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

A video of a former Minister of Intelligence, Ali Younesi, has gone viral on social media. He expressed grave concern over the infiltration of Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad, into various sectors of the country, warning that officials should be "worried for their lives."

Younesi stated in 2021 that over the past "10, 15, or 20 years," while the country has been purged of all groups he labeled as "terrorist," there has been a significant failure in addressing the infiltration by foreign intelligence services, particularly those of Israel.

He emphasized that in the "last ten years, Mossad's infiltration into various sectors of the country is so extensive that all officials of the Islamic Republic should be worried for their lives."

The assassination of Haniyeh attack occurred days after Iran’s Minister of Intelligence hailed the "dismantling of Mossad's infiltration network" as a pivotal achievement of former president Ebrahim Raisi's administration.

Esmail Khatib remarked last week, "Mossad's infiltration network had been assassinating our scientific figures and sabotaging critical centers. Under the thirteenth administration, this network and its access and capabilities have been eliminated."

"Few have murdered more Palestinians and Israelis than the Hamas terrorist leader Ismail Haniyeh. He brought suffering and misery to millions. I will not mourn him," wrote Tom Tugendhat, British MP and former Secretary of State on X.

During Wednesday's cabinet meeting, led by First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, a framed photo of the late Ismail Haniyeh was prominently displayed.

Hossein-Ali Haji Deligani, an Iranian MP, commented on the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, suggesting the possible involvement of infiltrators.

"The possibility of the involvement of infiltrators cannot be ruled out, as Israel might have hired ignorant or treacherous individuals by paying them American dollars," he added.

The German government called for restraint in the Middle East in response to recent events, including an Israeli strike that killed a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut and the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

German Foreign Ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer emphasized the importance of preventing further escalation and avoiding a regional conflagration.

"It is essential to avoid further escalation and a regional conflagration," Fischer told reporters, urging all parties to exercise "maximum restraint" and warning that "the logic of tit-for-tat reprisals is the wrong path."

Following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, the dollar exchange rate in Iran's market has surged past 600,000 rials.

The price of the dollar was around 580,000 rials in recent weeks.

Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, issued a warning about potential market volatility, describing "excitement" in the currency and gold markets. The agency said that currency dealers are exploiting the situation, attempting to create fluctuations and profit.

Iranian officials condemned the Wednesday assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, blaming Israel and vowing "retribution," while downplaying security lapses.

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reacted to the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran.

Speaking at a forum in Singapore, Blinken did not directly address the killing of Haniyeh but said “We were not aware of or involved in... it is very hard to speculate, we have learned not to speculate,” he said.

Blinken emphasized the necessity of a ceasefire in Gaza, saying that achieving a ceasefire in Gaza "is the enduring imperative."

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said, “We don’t want war, but we are preparing for all possibilities.”

This statement follows recent events, including the killing of Hezbollah’s most senior military commander in an IDF airstrike in Beirut and the assassination of Hamas political leader in Tehran earlier this morning.

The government of Pakistan condemned the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, criticizing Israel's "adventurism in the region" and warning about the risk of further escalation.

In a statement, Pakistan's foreign ministry expressed "serious concern" over the increasing Israeli activities in the region, describing them as a "dangerous escalation in an already volatile region" that undermines peace efforts.

The ministry also censured the timing of what it called a "reckless act," noting that it coincided with the swearing-in of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Also on Wednesday, Egypt condemned the recent strikes that targeted Hezbollah military leader Fuad Shukr in Beirut and Haniyeh in Tehran, describing them as a "dangerous escalation" that could destabilize the region.

The Egyptian foreign ministry stated that these actions undermine "the strenuous efforts made by Egypt and its partners to stop the war in the Gaza Strip" and "indicate the absence of Israeli political will to calm the situation."

Cairo has called on the United Nations Security Council to intervene to "prevent the security situation in the region from spiraling out of control."

International reactions are emerging following the targeted killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, widely believed to be carried out by Israel.

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Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas announced a national day of mourning on Wednesday in response to the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Mohammad Javad Zarif, the former Iranian foreign minister, accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of driving the region and the world “to the brink of catastrophe.”

In a statement on X, Zarif criticized the international community for “silently watching Israel's genocide, and repeated acts of international terrorism and aggression.”

He added that Netanyahu's survival depends on "death and destruction."

“The cowardly assassination of our guest will only strengthen our resolve to defend our territory and support the Palestinian people's fight for their freedom.”

Zarif urged the US and EU to stop “shielding Netanyahu's madness” and to join the world to end his "suicidal chaos."

Australia issued a warning on Wednesday about the potential escalation of tensions in the Middle East following the death of Ismail Haniyeh.

Former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami expressed his condolences on the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, praising him as a “key figure in the resistance against terrorism and occupation.”

Israel's channel 12 reports that Ziad Nakhaleh, the Secretary General of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, was in the same building as Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran during Haniyeh's assassination.

Nakhaleh was on a different floor and was not a target of the attack, nor was he harmed, according to the report.

Since at least 2010, Israel has allegedly conducted dozens of attacks inside Iran, targeting sensitive nuclear and military installations and carrying out assassinations of individuals deemed a threat.

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Iran’s Assembly of Experts issued a statement declaring that the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh is an "overt violation" of Iran's sovereignty.

The statement warned that this act would have "severe consequences" for Israel.

Russia stated on Wednesday that the Middle East is teetering on the brink of a major war, with key players escalating tensions.

"The region is currently balancing on the brink of a global conflict," said Andrei Nastasin, deputy spokesman for the Russian foreign ministry. "The parties continue to raise the stakes."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene the security cabinet today, his office announced.

The meeting comes in the wake of the assassinations of top Hezbollah and Hamas officials as senior officials from Iran and its proxy militia have vowed retaliation.

Iranian lawmaker Peyman Falsafi told Mehr News Agency that following the death of Ismail Haniyeh, a meeting of the Supreme National Security Council was held with the presence of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

He stated that "necessary investigations" regarding the matter are underway.

A member of parliament from Lebanese armed group Hezbollah said on Wednesday that his group would be ready to fight a war with Israel, after an Israeli strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut targeted Hezbollah's top military commander.

Ali Ammar spoke to local broadcasters amid the ruins of Tuesday's strike.

"This enemy demands war and we are up for it, God willing, we are up for it," Ammar said.

The Tuesday airstrike killed Fuad Shukr, the "right-hand man" of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah who served as his adviser for planning and directing wartime operations, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.

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The Syrian Foreign Ministry has held Israel responsible for the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, warning that this attack could potentially lead to "the ignition of the entire region."

Kambiz Ghafouri, a journalist, commented on the circumstances surrounding the death of Ismail Haniyeh, stating that the attack demonstrates Israel's significant intelligence penetration in Iran, as it required meticulous planning days in advance.

Speaking to Iran International, Ghafouri mentioned that if the attack was carried out using guided drones within Iran, it implies that Israel has operational forces inside Iranian territory.

He added that if the airstrike was executed by precision-targeting fighter jets originating from another country, as some reports suggest, it would still indicate Israel's operational capabilities within Iran's borders.

Following the death of Ismail Haniyeh, the government has announced three days of public mourning in Iran.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a second statement on Wednesday condemning the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas political bureau, and one of his bodyguards in Tehran.

The IRGC blamed “the Zionist regime” for the attack and declared that this "crime" will be met with a "harsh and painful response" from the Resistance Front, particularly from Iran.

Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref stated in a message that the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh was driven by "sinister objectives," aimed at creating a new crisis in the region and complicating the regional and international relations of Iran, particularly at the onset of the new administration's term.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, announced on his X account that "Iran and the Resistance Front will not disregard the blood" of Ismail Haniyeh.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the killing of Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

In a statement on X, Erdogan denounced the act as a "treacherous assassination". He said that “Zionist actions” will not help to achieve their goals.

The armed wing of Hamas said on Wednesday that the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran would "take the battle to new dimensions" and have major repercussions.

The Jordanian government has condemned the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, stating that the act violates international law and escalates tensions in the region.

In a statement, the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the incident could lead to further chaos and instability in the Middle East.

Qatari sources have reported that the funeral and burial ceremony for Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas's political bureau, will be held on Friday in Doha, Qatar.

IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency also reported that a procession ceremony will be held in Tehran for Ismail Haniyeh. The ceremony is likely to take place on Thursday.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said in a statement following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran that "The criminal and terrorist Zionist regime, with this action, has paved the way for severe punishment for itself.”

“We consider it our duty to seek justice for him, who was martyred within the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran," he added.

In a statement regarding the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the Prosecutor General's Office warned journalists and social media users to refrain from discussing topics that "disrupt the psychological security of society."

The office also instructed security agencies to monitor cyberspace and report any media outlets or individuals who "spread rumors or disrupt psychological security" to the judiciary.

The statement reads: "Those who, through irresponsible remarks, dissemination of false information, spreading lies, and insults, disturb the psychological security of society will be dealt with according to the law."

Al Arabiya reported that the bodyguard of Ismail Haniyeh, who was also killed alongside him in Tehran, is identified as Wasim Abu Shaban.

The Yemeni Houthis have announced a three-day public mourning period following the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

Since at least 2010, Israel has allegedly conducted dozens of attacks inside Iran, including sabotage of sensitive nuclear and military installations, as well as assassinations of experts and individuals deemed a threat.

Israeli attacks became more frequent from July 2020, when a huge explosion took place in the Natanz uranium enrichment site in central Iran, destroying one of the buildings. In November of the same year, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a prominent official in Iran’s nuclear program, was assassinated in a roadside attack near Tehran. Western and Israeli intelligence had long suspected that Fakhrizadeh was the father of Iran’s covert nuclear weapons program.

Many small and bigger attacks on various targets have occurred since Fakhrizadeh’s assassination, which allegedly involved a high-tech, remote operated machine gun. Israel has never acknowledged its involvement in any of these attacks, but it is widely believed that many incidents at military and industrial sites were the result of either Israeli sabotage or drone attacks.

Since at least 2010, Israel has allegedly conducted dozens of attacks inside Iran, targeting sensitive nuclear and military installations and carrying out assassinations of individuals deemed a threat.

These attacks became more frequent after July 2020, when a massive explosion occurred at the Natanz uranium enrichment site in central Iran, destroying one of the buildings. In November of that year, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a key figure in Iran’s nuclear program, was assassinated in a roadside attack near Tehran. Western and Israeli intelligence had long suspected Fakhrizadeh of being the architect of Iran’s covert nuclear weapons program.

Since Fakhrizadeh’s assassination, which reportedly involved a high-tech, remote-operated machine gun, numerous small and large-scale attacks have continued to target various sites. While Israel has never acknowledged its involvement, it is widely believed that many incidents at military and industrial sites were the result of Israeli sabotage or drone attacks.

Iran has on many occasions claimed that it has unmasked and demolished Israeli infiltrators, most recently in July. But few observers believe these claims, as Iran has never produced concrete evidence of success against Israeli covert operations.

China firmly opposes and condemns the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Wednesday, adding that the incident could lead to further regional instability.

Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said, "This is an absolutely unacceptable political murder, and it will lead to further escalation of tensions."

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has vowed that the Islamic Republic will defend its territorial “integrity, dignity, honor, and pride,” promising to make the "terrorist occupiers" regret their actions.

His statement follows the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran early Wednesday.

"Yesterday, I raised his victorious hand, and today I have to carry him on my shoulders for his funeral," Pezeshkian added.

Iran-backed Hezbollah of Lebanon issued a statement declaring that the death of Ismail Haniyeh has “reinforced the fighters' determination in all areas of resistance and strengthened their resolve to confront the enemy."

The statement honored Haniyeh as "one of the great leaders of the resistance era" who "bravely stood against the US domination and Israeli occupation."

Mohammad Ghaedi, an international relations expert, suggested that the Islamic Republic is likely to mobilize its resistance forces and bring them onto the streets of Tehran in response to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh.

Ghaedi told Iran International, "Haniyeh, formerly the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, is the highest-ranking Palestinian official ever to be assassinated, posing a significant challenge to Tehran's prestige."

According to Ghaedi, the Islamic Republic may attempt to bring the issue to the United Nations Security Council and demonstrate its power regionally and domestically by mobilizing its forces and showcasing them in public displays.

Qatar strongly condemned killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, warning that the assassination is a dangerous escalation.

The spokesperson for the National Security Committee of Islamic Republic’s parliament announced that it will hold a meeting regarding the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

Ebrahim Rezaei, the spokesperson for the committee, expressed his condolences over the death of Ismail Haniyeh in an interview with Tasnim News Agency. He stated, "The Zionist regime, in a cowardly and desperate act, assassinated Ismail Haniyeh, the prominent leader of Palestinian resistance, which is a sign of the regime's desperation and inability."

He added that the National Security Committee will hold a meeting to examine this development with the presence of all relevant agencies, and the results will be made public.

Richard Goldberg, a senior advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, tweeted “The Israeli Air Force is about to demonstrate its range tonight” hours before Haniyeh’s assassination.

A former commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Mohsen Rezaie, warned on Wednesday that Israel would "pay a heavy price" for assassinating Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Iranian state media reported.

The Taliban government in Afghanistan expressed condolences over the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, saying, "The martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh leaves a great sorrow for the Ummah, but it also heralds the demise of the usurping Zionists."

The statement extended sympathies to his family and the entire Islamic community.

Al-Mayadeen, a news outlet affiliated with the Hezbollah, said the Hamas leader was assassinated with a "missile fired from abroad," citing an unnamed Iranian official.

The official called it an act of "aggression against Iran" which "necessitates a decisive response."

Iran's Nournews says "further investigations are underway to determine the details of this terrorist operation like the location from which the projectile was launched."

The website, close to Iran's Supreme Council of National Security, added that "crossing Iran's redlines has always been costly for the enemy"

The Turkish foreign ministry in a statement condemned the "heinous" assassination of Hamas Political Bureau Chief, saying "it once again made it clear that the Netanyahu government has no intention of achieving peace."

The statement said, "This attack also aims to spread the war in Gaza to a regional scale. If the international community does not act to stop Israel, our region will face much larger conflicts."

Ismail Haniyeh was killed after being hit by an "aerial projectile" in his residence in northern Tehran at 02:00 am (local time), the IRGC-affiliated Fars News reported, without giving further details about the projectile.

The killing of Hamas' chief political leader is "an absolutely unacceptable political murder", a deputy Russian foreign minister told RIA state news agency on Wednesday.

"This is an absolutely unacceptable political murder, and it will lead to further escalation of tensions," RIA cited Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov as saying.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a statement that Haniyeh's killing will "strengthen the deep and unbreakable bond between Iran, Palestine, and the resistance."
"Undoubtedly, the pure blood of this resolute fighter was not (shed) in vain," Nasser Kanaani said in Iran's first official reaction to the assassination.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday he did not think a wider war in the Middle East was inevitable, referring to rising tensions in the region.

Speaking during a visit to the Philippines, Austin also said the US would help defend Israel if it were attacked.

“We don’t want to see any of that happen. We’re going to work hard to make sure that we’re doing things to help take the temperature down, and address issues through diplomatic means," Austin told reporters.

Back in April, the US military successfully helped Israel stop a massive wave of Iranian missiles and drones.

Oil prices surged in Asian trading on Wednesday following reports of Haniyeh's death in a suspected Israeli strike in Iran's capital, potentially signaling increased tensions in the Middle East, Investing.com reported.

By 03:05 GMT, Brent oil futures for September delivery rose 1% to $79.45 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude futures increased 1.2% to $75.64 a barrel,

Iran is holding an emergency meeting of its Supreme National Security Council at the supreme leader's residence, an event that happens during extraordinary circumstances, New York Times reported citing two Iranian officials.

The IRGC Quds Force chief, Esmaeil Qa'ani, is also attending the meeting, the report said.

Iran's top security body will decide about Iran's strategy in reaction to Haniyeh's assassination in Tehran, Reuters reported, citing unnamed sources.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, calling it a "cowardly act and a dangerous development."

"We have entered into a full-scale war for the liberation of Quds and are ready to pay any price in this path," Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis said in a statement on the assassination in Tehran of Ismail Haniyeh.

The assassination of Hamas leader in Iran is a grave escalation that will not achieve its goals, Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters.

"This is the right way to clean the world from this filth. No more imaginary "peace"/surrender agreements, no more mercy for these mortals," Israeli Heritage Minister Amihai Eliyahu said in a post on his X account in reaction to Haniyeh's assassination.

"The iron hand that will strike them is the one that will bring peace and a little comfort and strengthen our ability to live in peace with those who desire peace. Haniyeh's death makes the world a little better," he added.

The Palestinian leader was assassinated hours after praising Tehran's support for Hamas and Palestine during his meeting with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Mousa Abu Marzook, a member of Hamas political bureau, said the "cowardly" assassination of Ismail Haniyeh "won't go unanswered".

A statement by Hamas says a "treacherous Israeli raid" killed the Palestinian group's politburo chief in Tehran.

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed after his residence was targeted in Tehran, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed in a statement early Wednesday.

The statement by the IRGC's Public Relations Department said the attack was carried out early Wednesday, adding that a probe is underway to find the cause of the incident.

The statement offered condolences to the people of Palestine, the Muslim world, and the Resistance Front's fighters over the Hamas leader's death.

Earlier on Tuesday, Haniyeh had attended the inauguration of Iran's new president and met Iran's Supreme Leader.