Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh on Wednesday was assassinated by an explosive device that had been covertly 'smuggled' into the Tehran guesthouse, said a New York Times report.
The report quoting Middle Eastern officials said that the bomb had been hidden about two months ago in the guesthouse, where Haniyeh was known to be staying. Haniyeh was staying at the guesthouse which was under the security blanket of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.
Sources familiar with the matter said the device was remotely detonated once Haniyeh was inside the room. The explosion had caused partial collapse of the exterior wall, shattered some windows and shook the building.
Hamas and Iran accused Israel behind Haniyeh's ‘assassination’. However, Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack so far.
Haniyeh was in Tehran for the presidential inauguration. It was not the first time Haniyeh was staying at the guesthouse in northern Tehran. He had stayed there several times while visiting Tehran.
The report also said that the Israeli intelligence officials briefed the United States and other Western governments on the details of the operation after the strike.
On Wednesday, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the US had received no advance knowledge of the assassination plot.
With the new details of Haniyeh’s assassination, questions are being raised on Iran’s huge security lapse. Officials are yet to ascertain how the explosives were planted inside the guesthouse.
According to Middle Eastern officials, the planning and execution of the act took months.
The leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad staying next door was however unhurt. His room was not badly damaged as well.
After Haniyeh’s assassination, Iran has vowed a retaliation attack against Israel. Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said it was ‘Iran’s duty’ to strike back.
"Iran and the resistance members will conduct a thorough assessment after the meeting in Tehran to find the best and most effective way to retaliate against the Zionist regime (Israel)," a senior Iranian official was quoted by Reuters.
