The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that the United States “was not aware or involved in” the assassination of Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh, an event that has further escalated already heightened tensions in the Middle East. In an interview with Channel News Asia on Wednesday, Blinken expressed reluctance to speculate on the implications of Haniyeh’s killing in Tehran. “This is something we were not aware of or involved in,” the U.S. diplomat remarked. “It is very difficult to speculate, and I have learned over many years never to speculate on what impact one event may have on another. So I cannot tell you what this means,” he added.
Haniyeh was killed early Wednesday morning while attending the inauguration ceremony of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian. The assassination has been condemned by leaders across the region and has raised concerns about further escalation of violence. Hamas, the Palestinian political faction governing Gaza, accused Israel of the attack, labeling Haniyeh’s death as a “treacherous Zionist assault.”
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed “harsh punishments” for Israel in retaliation for the murder, stating that it is Tehran’s duty to avenge Haniyeh. Al Jazeera’s reporter in Beirut, Zeina Khodr, reported Wednesday that the latest reactions to Haniyeh’s assassination suggest a potential “coordinated response” from Iran and its regional allies. “In Iran, the red flag is raised – the revenge flag. There is a lot of anger,” she stated.
Israel has yet to comment on the assassination but had previously promised to eliminate Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders following the group’s attacks on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,139 people and triggered the country’s ongoing war against Gaza. Shortly before Haniyeh’s death, Israel also conducted a bombing in Beirut targeting Fuad Shukr, a leader of the Lebanese group Hezbollah. The attack resulted in at least three fatalities, including two children, and left 74 others injured.
Haniyeh, 62, had been involved in negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza, where Israeli airstrikes have claimed the lives of at least 39,445 Palestinians since the beginning of October. Qatar’s Prime Minister, who has acted as a mediator in the ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, questioned the viability of negotiations moving forward after the assassination. “How can mediation succeed when one side murders the negotiator on the other side?” Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani asked on social media.
In the interview with Channel News Asia, Blinken emphasized the importance of achieving a ceasefire, stating that it is crucial for everyone. “We will continue to work hard to get there,” he added. “It is imperative to help end the suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza. It is crucial to get the hostages [in Gaza] back home, including several Americans. It is important to hopefully put things on a better path toward more lasting peace and security.”
The U.S. government has faced widespread criticism for its unconditional support for Israel, including military aid and equipment, during the Gaza conflict. Human rights advocates have urged President Joe Biden’s administration to halt arms shipments to Israel while the conflict persists.