As tensions escalate in the Middle East…

August 7, 2024

NEW DELHI – The killing of Hamas political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran, possibly by Israel, has escalated tensions in the region. Ismail was in Tehran for the swearing-in of the new Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian, also attended by Indian cabinet minister, Nitin Gadkari. The fact that Israel was aware of his precise location and could strike accurately is damaging to Iran’s security apparatus.

The Iranian president commented, “Yesterday I raised his (Ismail’s) victorious hand and today I have to bury him on my shoulders. The Islamic Republic of Iran will defend its territorial integrity, honour, dignity and pride, and make the terrorist occupiers regret their cowardly action.” Israel on its part has neither denied nor accepted responsibility for the assassination. Its PM, Benjamin Netanyahu, mentioned Israel “will exact a heavy price from any aggression against us on any front.” He did not mention the Ismail incident. Israel’s spokesperson refused to comment on the subject.

It had already announced its intent to eliminate Ismail immediately after the 7 October 2023 attacks. Israel has also sent a message to all terrorist groups and Iran that it is willing to escalate conflict in case of any retaliation. This was the third major assassination on the same day. Israel had earlier killed top Hezbollah commander, Fuad Shukr, by a missile strike in Beirut. He was responsible for the missile attack on Israel resulting in the death of 12 members of the Druze community. Shukr was on the wanted list of the US, being behind the 1983 bombing which killed 300 US and French soldiers in Beirut. In addition, there was the killing of Iran’s IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) commander, Brigadier General