Tehran, Aug 04 (V7N) – Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced that a short-range projectile was responsible for the death of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh, accusing the United States of supporting the attack, which it attributes to Israel. The statement, broadcast on state television, reiterated Tehran's commitment to retaliation.

According to the Guard's statement, the attack occurred on Wednesday in Tehran, targeting Haniyeh’s residence with a rocket equipped with a seven-kilogram (approximately 15-pound) warhead. The Guard reported significant damage but did not disclose the specific location of the residence.

Haniyeh was in Iran for the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian. The Guard’s statement condemned the attack as a scheme by the “Zionist regime,” with backing from the U.S., and vowed severe consequences for Israel at an appropriate time and place.

While Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in Haniyeh's killing, it had previously vowed to target him and other Hamas leaders in response to the group’s October 7 assault on southern Israel, which triggered the ongoing Gaza conflict.

The assassination has raised concerns about a potential escalation of regional tensions and a direct conflict between Israel and Iran if Tehran chooses to retaliate.

U.S. President Joe Biden, asked about Iran's potential response during a press conference in Wilmington, Delaware, expressed uncertainty, stating, “I hope so. I don’t know.”

In April, Iran launched a substantial missile and drone attack on Israel, which Israel claimed to have intercepted 99% of. This attack followed an Israeli strike in Syria that resulted in the deaths of two Iranian generals, marking the first direct military assault by Iran on Israel since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Iran does not recognize Israel and continues to support anti-Israel militant groups, including Hamas and Hezbollah.

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