“You killed our dear guest”: Supreme leader vows Iran will avenge Haniyeh’s death

TEHRAN: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Iran sees it as its duty to avenge the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh because he was assassinated on Iranian soil. 

“You killed our dear guest in our house and now have paved the way for your harsh punishment,” Khamenei said, referring to Israel. 

 “We consider it our duty to ask for the blood of our dear guest.” 

 New Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also paid tribute to Ismail Haniyeh, whom he called the “brave leader of the Palestinian resistance,” after the Hamas political bureau chief was assassinated.

“Today, Iran is mourning its sharer of sorrows and joys, the proud companion of the path of resistance, the brave leader of the Palestinian resistance, the martyr of al-Quds, Haj Ismail Haniyeh. Yesterday I raised his victorious hand and today I have to carry him on my shoulders to bury,” Pezeshkian said.
“The bond between the two proud nations of Iran and Palestine will be stronger than before, and the path of resistance and defense of the oppressed will be followed stronger than ever.”

World’s reaction to Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination

He said Iran would defend its territorial integrity and make the culprits regret their attack.

The Palestinian militant group said Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli “strike” on his residence.

The Israeli military declined to comment, though senior officials launched a relentless bombing campaign on Gaza, with the stated aim of eliminating Hamas after October 7.

Before he was killed, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend President Masoud Pezeshkian’s inauguration, as well as to hold talks with Iranian leaders.

Iran has been a key supporter of Hamas.

Haniyeh, a key interlocutor in the Gaza ceasefire and hostage negotiations, was in parliament on Tuesday for the formal swearing-in.

The head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an elite wing of the Iranian military, and Iran’s former President Hassan Rouhani were among the attendees.