Killing of Hamas Leader in Tehran Airstrike Sparks International Reactions

The killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in an airstrike in Tehran on Wednesday, an act widely attributed to Israel, has shocked the international community and raised fears of escalating the Gaza conflict into a broader regional war.

Israel has not commented on the incident, but many countries have warned that the assassination could exacerbate tensions in the region.

Iran Vows ‘Harsh Punishment’

Haniyeh had been in Tehran to attend the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed “harsh punishment” for Israel.

“With this action, the criminal and terrorist Zionist regime prepared the ground for harsh punishment for itself, and we consider it our duty to seek revenge for his blood as he was martyred in the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Khamenei said in a statement carried by the IRNA official news agency.

Pezeshkian echoed Khamenei’s sentiment, stating that Iran “will defend its territorial integrity, honour, pride, and dignity, and make the terrorist invaders regret their cowardly action.”

Palestinian President Condemns Killing as ‘Cowardly’

Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas, a rival of Haniyeh, condemned the killing as “a cowardly act and a serious escalation,” according to a statement from his office. Abbas urged Palestinians to unite and stand firm against the Israeli occupation.

Qatar and Turkey Warn of ‘Chaos’

Haniyeh, who was based in Qatar and spent time in Turkey after going into exile, received strong condemnation from both nations. Qatar’s foreign ministry called the killing a “heinous crime” and “shameful assassination,” warning that it could lead the region into chaos and undermine peace efforts.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the “perfidious assassination” of his “brother” Haniyeh, calling the act an attempt to sabotage the Palestinian cause and intimidate Palestinians.

US Calls for Ceasefire

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the need for a ceasefire in the Gaza war following Haniyeh’s killing, describing it as an “enduring imperative.” Germany also stressed international calls for restraint to avoid regional conflict.

Russia and China Condemn

Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov called the assassination “a completely unacceptable political assassination” that would further escalate tensions. Konstantin Kosachev, vice-president of Russia’s Federation Council, predicted a “sudden escalation of mutual hatred” in the Middle East.

China’s foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian expressed concern and condemned the assassination.

Middle East Shock

The killing sent shockwaves throughout the Middle East. Egypt’s foreign ministry warned that Israel’s recent actions “risk igniting a confrontation in the region that could yield dire security consequences.” Iraq’s foreign ministry and Oman also condemned the assassination.

Hamas Allies Rally

Hamas allies in the region rallied in support of the Palestinian militants. Hezbollah, in a statement, said Haniyeh’s martyrdom would “increase the determination and stubbornness of the mujahideen resistance fighters” and strengthen their resolve against Israel.

Mohammed Ali al-Huthi of Yemen’s Huthi rebels condemned the killing as a “heinous terrorist crime.” Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers called Haniyeh’s death “a great loss.”

The international reactions highlight the potential for the assassination to escalate tensions further in an already volatile region.