Iran says Hamas leader was killed by short-range projectile
Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed with a “short-range projectile” fired from outside his guesthouse in Tehran, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says.
The paramilitary organisation said the projectile weighed about 7kg (16lbs) and caused a “strong blast”, killing Haniyeh and his bodyguard last Wednesday. The Hamas leader had been visiting the Iranian capital for the inauguration of President Massoud Pezeshkian.
The IRGC accused Israel of designing and implementing the operation - supported by the US. Israel has not commented on Haniyeh’s death.
The IRGC account is at odds with reports in Western media, which have suggested that explosives were planted in the guesthouse by Israeli operatives.
The failures surrounding Haniyeh’s death, especially on a day marked by intense security, have caused embarrassment for Iran and the IRGC.
