Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed to avenge the death of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Tehran yesterday.
Hamas said Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli strike, but Israel has neither confirmed nor denied being behind Haniyeh’s assassination.
The killing is a major escalation of conflict in the region that throws it into an unpredictable and dangerous new phase.
Haniyeh was the second figure of an Iran-backed group assassinated in recent days, following Israel’s killing of a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon.
Iran’s supreme leader will lead memorial prayers for Haniyeh today, according to Iranian state media.
Here’s what to know.
- Iran vows revenge: Iran’s supreme leader has issued an order for Iran to “strike Israel directly” following the killing of Haniyeh, the New York Times reported citing three Iranian officials familiar with the orders. Israel will pay a “heavy price” for the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh on Iranian soil, said senior Iranian diplomat Abbas Araghchi.
- Israel’s response: Israel has delivered “crushing blows” to its enemies in the last few days, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday, and vowed to keep fighting as the region stands on edge.
- Future of ceasefire talks unclear: A source with knowledge of the negotiations told CNN on Wednesday that Haniyeh’s assassination could “complicate mediation talks,” as he had been “instrumental” to their progress. The source said Haniyeh was a “key decision-maker,” along with Hamas’ military leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar.