The paramilitary organization said the projectile weighed
about 7kg (16lbs) and caused a "strong blast," killing Haniyeh and
his bodyguard last Wednesday. Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend inauguration of
President Massoud Pezeshkian.
The IRGC accused Israel, with US support, of designing and
implementing the operation. Israel has not commented on Haniyeh's death.
Western
media reports suggest that explosives were planted in the guesthouse by Israeli
operatives, conflicting with the IRGC's account. The incident has embarrassed
Iran and the IRGC, especially given the intense security on the day of the
attack.
Dozens of IRGC officers have been arrested or dismissed
since Haniyeh's death, according to the New York Times.
The IRGC's intelligence agency has taken over the
investigation, interrogating staff members at Haniyeh's guesthouse and seizing
their electronics.
In response to the security breach, the security details of
Iranian politicians have been overhauled.
The IRGC's statement followed a report by Britain's Daily
Telegraph that Haniyeh was killed by bombs planted in his room by agents of
Israel's Mossad intelligence agency.
The New York Times also reported that Haniyeh was killed by
explosives, potentially planted up to two months earlier. Hamas officials noted
that Haniyeh had stayed at the guesthouse before and had made numerous visits
to Iran since becoming the head of the political bureau in 2017.
If
true, these reports would indicate a significant failure for the IRGC,
highlighting Mossad's ability to operate within Iran.
Both Iran and Hamas have vowed to retaliate for Haniyeh's
death. The IRGC promised "severe punishment" for Israel at an
appropriate time, while Hezbollah has also vowed reprisals after one of their
commanders was killed in an Israeli strike.
The situation has escalated regional tensions, with Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning Israelis of challenging days ahead and
preparing for any scenario.
The US has deployed additional warships and fighter jets to
the Middle East to help defend Israel from potential attacks by Iran.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy warned of a rapidly
deteriorating situation on the ground.
Israeli officials, including the heads of Mossad and Shin
Bet, are in Cairo for ceasefire talks with Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas
Kamel.
US President Joe Biden acknowledged that Haniyeh's death had
damaged the ceasefire negotiations. The conflict, which began in October 2023,
has resulted in significant casualties.
