Jordan Daily – Israeli Mossad operatives have assassinated Ismail Haniyeh, a prominent political leader of Hamas, in Tehran, according to multiple sources. The assassination was carried out by detonating a high-tech explosive device planted in Haniyeh’s bedroom at a secure Iranian government residence.
The operation, which highlights the extent of Israeli intelligence penetration within Iran, has also exposed vulnerabilities within the Iranian security apparatus.
The New York Times initially reported the details of the assassination, which were later confirmed by two sources to Axios. According to these sources, the explosion occurred on Tuesday night, with Hamas officially announcing Haniyeh’s death on Wednesday morning. Initial statements from Hamas attributed the assassination to an Israeli airstrike. However, Iranian media offered conflicting reports, first citing a drone strike involving three missiles, and later claiming a missile was launched from outside Iran.
Sources familiar with the operation disclosed that Israeli intelligence had pinpointed the specific facility and room where Haniyeh was staying during his visits to Tehran. The bomb, described as a high-tech device employing artificial intelligence, was planted in the room ahead of time and remotely detonated by Mossad operatives stationed on Iranian soil once confirmation was received that Haniyeh was present.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has launched an investigation into the incident. Israeli officials did not notify the United States or other allies prior to the operation but briefed U.S. counterparts on the details the following day.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari stated that no Israeli airstrike or missile attack occurred in the Middle East on Tuesday night, other than an operation in Beirut.
