Iran vows revenge as it accuses Israel of killing of Hamas political leader

Iran has accused Israel of assassinating Hamas s political leader Ismail Haniyeh in a strike in Tehran and vowed to avenge his death as the attack dramatically raised the risk of a further escalation of regional hostilities.

Haniyeh was killed in a strike on his residence in Tehran in the early hours of Wednesday morning, Hamas and Iranian officials said.

The attack came hours after Israel said it had killed a senior Hizbollah commander in an air strike on Beirut, the Lebanese capital, heightening fears that the region was sliding towards a full-blown war.

Israel did not claim responsibility for Haniyeh s death and typically neither confirms nor denies assassination attempts in Iran. But Israeli officials have previously said they would hold all Hamas leaders accountable for the group s October 7 attack on southern Israel.

On Wednesday, Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant said: The operation tonight in Beirut was precise and professional. We do not seek war, but we are preparing for all possibilities.

via www.ft.com