Washington is an accessory to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh through its support for Israel, Tehran has claimed<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The US bears partial responsibility for the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. The Palestinian movement\u2019s chief was assassinated in a missile strike on his residence Tehran earlier in the day.
The ministry accused Israel of carrying out the strike, calling it part of the Jewish State\u2019s hunt for Palestinian leaders, and a \u201cterrorist act\u201d targeting Iran\u2019s \u201csovereignty and territorial integrity.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Haniyeh was in Iran for the inauguration of the country\u2019s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian. The ministry statement said Tehran reserves the right to \u201crespond appropriately to this aggressive action.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Islamic Republic of Iran emphasizes the responsibility of the US government as a supporter and accomplice\u201d of Israel, including in \u201ccommitting this heinous act of terrorism,\u201d the statement read. According to Tehran, Israel seeks to destabilize the Middle East, and Wednesday\u2019s attack poses a \u201cserious threat\u201d to regional and international peace and stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Washington has denied any role in the incident. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the Singapore-based news network CNA that the US was \u201cnot aware of or involved in\u201d the assassination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Israel has not commented on the strike, but national media have claimed, citing unnamed Iranian officials, that the missile that struck Haniyeh\u2019s residence may have been fired from within Iran\u2019s borders. Israel has previously vowed to eliminate the leaders of Hamas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The development comes as the conflict between Israel and the Gaza-based Palestinian militant group approaches nine months. Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu has repeatedly pledged to destroy Hamas in response to its deadly October 7 raid that claimed the lives of some 1,100 people. More than 200 were taken hostage and held in Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Israel responded to the attack by launching a major military campaign in Gaza that involved heavy bombardments following by a ground operation. Nearly 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in the enclave since the start of the fighting, according to local authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n