Tehran, Iran – 1000’s of individuals took to the streets of Tehran to affix the funeral procession of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, as Iran weighed its choices pledging to avenge Hamas’ assassination.
A day earlier, the Palestinian political official and his bodyguard had been killed alongside him in an Iranian assault blamed on Israel, and their our bodies had been paraded to cheers within the capital.
Aerial picture of burying the stays of martyr Haniyeh after the Supreme Chief of the Revolution prayed in Tehran pic.twitter.com/1XzalnPU6y
— IRNA Information Company (@IRNA_1313) August 1, 2024
Palestinian, Lebanese Hezbollah and Hamas flags fluttered within the wind as organizers distributed posters of Haniyeh. The banners paid tribute to Palestinian leaders and the late Iranian common Qasem Soleimani, who was assassinated by america in 2020, amongst others.
The headline of the ultra-conservative Keyhan newspaper reads: “Passengers comply with the principle information, the entire world is ready.” The editor-in-chief of the newspaper is appointed by the supreme chief.
Different high dailies featured themes of revenge, defiance and bereavement.
“We now have to reply strongly to Israel, in any other case lots of people will likely be sad,” Hamid Hajian, 46, who was a part of the funeral procession, instructed Al Jazeera.
“It appeared like there may be a ceasefire in Gaza, however that is over now. Empty speak is just not useful, and I hope Iran will reply extra forcefully than final time.”
Iran’s high authorities promised “extreme” revenge for the killing of their “visitor”.
Haniyeh was assassinated hours after the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
A pink flag hung over the Jamkaran Mosque within the Shiite holy metropolis of Qom, south of Tehran, to replicate the promise of blood. The long-lasting Milad Tower within the capital Tehran was lit up pink in a single day.
Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Employees Mohammad Bagheri stated on Thursday that the response may very well be a part of a coordinated effort with the so-called “Axis of Resistance”, a regional community of armed teams backed by Tehran.
Haniyeh will get ‘direct hit’ with missile
Khalil Haya, deputy chief of Hamas in Gaza, instructed reporters at a information convention in Tehran on Wednesday night time that “a missile entered Haniyeh’s room” and struck him in a “direct” The assault killed him and his bodyguard.
Sabereen Information, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), revealed a picture late Wednesday that it claimed confirmed the scene of the assassination. Pictures present a multi-story constructing partially coated with black tarps, with two flooring showing to have been broken. Al Jazeera was unable to independently confirm this picture.
The resort is positioned within the Saadabad Palace complicated space in northern Tehran. It’s a place the place international dignitaries are obtained and the place the Iranian president welcomes heads of state on official visits.
Iranian officers haven’t confirmed the small print of the assassination. Up to now, they’ve solely reported {that a} guided “aerial projectile” was focused at Haniyeh’s residence.
An analyst who spoke to Iranian state media stated Haniyeh was probably being tracked as a result of he was utilizing the identical SIM card he used exterior Iran.
“Issues occurred so quick”
Because the specter of all-out warfare continues to loom over the area, some in Iran are additionally nervous a few broadening of the battle.
“I hope the scenario won’t escalate additional, I imagine we aren’t on the level of direct warfare but, however quite a bit can even rely on Iran’s response,” stated a 24-year-old lady in Tehran.
“If an Iranian assault kills Israelis, that is harmful as a result of Israelis are bloodthirsty,” she instructed Al Jazeera.
Israel has not but commented on the assassination, however Israeli officers have pledged to kill Haniyeh and different Hamas leaders as one in all their acknowledged targets after the group led an Oct. 7 invasion of southern Israel that killed 1,139 folks. a part of crushing the group.
The US has acknowledged that it has no information of the Chaniyah assault. In line with experiences, america has urged Iran by way of an middleman to not assault Israel, however Iran has firmly refused.
In the meantime, Tehran markets initially reacted with concern.
Shares fell on Wednesday, with the Tehran alternate’s benchmark index closing 2% decrease than yesterday as Iran entered the weekend.
The nationwide foreign money, the rial, additionally fell about 3%, rising to the 600,000 mark per greenback.
However after years of turmoil over U.S. sanctions and warfare fears, the market is just not anticipated to be shaken additional. Nonetheless, this might all change if a full-scale battle breaks out.
Ali, a 31-year-old information analyst from the capital, was not trying ahead to such a scene.
“Issues are taking place so quick, and simply this 12 months we now have skilled issues that some folks might not expertise of their lifetime. However I believe Iran and Israel could possibly strike some navy targets and keep away from a broader warfare.
