Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran on Tuesday.

The infamous terror leader was in Tehran to attend a swearing-in ceremony for newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian. During his visit, Haniyeh met with both Pezeshkian and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as well as other top terrorists who attended the ceremony.

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Initial reports suggest that an airstrike killed Haniyeh and his bodyguard at his residence in the Iranian capital. The missile evaded advanced Russian and Iranian air defense. A source told Reuters that Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has convened to decide on retaliatory measures.

Hamas was quick to blame Israel for the assassination.

“The martyr and fighter Ismail Haniyeh, leader of the movement, died as a result of a treacherous Zionist attack on his residence in Tehran, after taking part in the celebrations of the swearing-in of the new Iranian president. Hamas grieves with our great Palestinian people, with the Arab and Islamic nation, and with all free people worldwide,” a statement by Hamas reads.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has taken a more measured approach by announcing it is conducting a thorough investigation.

However, Pezeshkian vowed that whoever is responsible will pay a dear price.

“Iran will defend its territorial integrity, dignity, honor, and pride, and will make the terrorist occupiers regret their cowardly act,” Pezeshkian told state media after the assassination.

Israel has not commented on the attack, but has long vowed to destroy Hamas leadership after the Iranian-backed terror organization massacred 1,200 innocent Israelis and took 250 hostage on October 7.0

Haniyeh’s death marks the end of a terror career that spanned decades. He joined Hamas in 1987 during its founding and rose through the ranks to become Palestinian prime minister in 2006. Despite disputes over the legitimacy of his position, Haniyeh maintained his influence, eventually being elected as the leader of Hamas’ political bureau in 2017.

Living in exile since 2016, primarily in Qatar and Turkey, Haniyeh continued to play a significant role in Hamas’ reign of terror. Together with fellow top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, he masterminded not only the Oct. 7 massacre but hundreds of terrorist attacks against Israel.

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