Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, assures that Iran will take revenge for the reported assassination of Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed on Iranian soil. The comments, published on the official website, saw Khamenei offering condolences to the Palestinian people and the resistance front for the "martyrdom" of Haniyeh and a companion, said to have fallen victim to an earlier-day strike by Israelis in the capital, Tehran.
Khamenei said the ground had been laid for Israel to be punished "severely" over the act.
IRGC issued two statements Wednesday, blaming Israel for killing Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards at their residence in Tehran in a "terrorist attack." The IRGC offered its condolences for the "martyrdom" of Haniyeh and his bodyguard. According to a statement, Haniyeh was in Tehran to participate in the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday and had visited Iran several times during past years.
The IRGC, in extending its condemnation toward the "criminal act," said it defied international laws and regulations and warned that Israel "will face a harsh and painful response" from Iran, reported the Xinhua News Agency.
He further expressed sorrow on behalf of President Pezeshkian on the martyrdom of Haniyeh on the social media platform X. It further added that Iran will protect its "territorial integrity, dignity, honor, and pride" and vowed that the "terrorist occupiers" from Israel would be made to regret such "cowardly move."
The Iranian government declared a three-day national mourning period for the Hamas leader, on Tuesday reported the official news agency IRNA. Haniyeh's funeral procession is scheduled Thursday morning in Tehran, the report said.
Read also | New ads by Trump campaign refers to Kamala Harris as 'dangerously liberal'
