“Short-Range Projectile” From Outside: Iran Debunks NYT, CNN Reports On Ismail Haniyeh Assassination

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has categorically rebutted reports published by The New York Times and CNN regarding the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Contrary to the narrative presented by these US media outlets, which suggested that Haniyeh was killed by a bomb secretly planted in his guesthouse located at Neshat compound in northern Tehran, the IRGC insists that the attack involved a “short-range projectile” launched from outside the residence where the former political head of Hamas was staying.

The IRGC issued a detailed statement on Saturday, providing their account of the tragic event. According to the statement, the attack took place in the early hours of Wednesday, targeting the residence where Haniyeh was staying as a guest. The projectile, which carried approximately 7 kilograms of explosive materials, was fired from an undisclosed location outside the guesthouse. According to the IRGC, its investigation so far indicates that this was a deliberate and targeted attack aimed at assassinating Haniyeh, who had been staying in Iran capital to attend the presidential inauguration of Masoud Pezeshkian, a prominent reformist politician who took office after  his predecessor Ebrahim Raisi was killed after his chopper crashed in a mountainous region of the country.

In stark contrast to the IRGC’s account, The New York Times had earlier published an exclusive report, sourcing it to many US and Iranian sources from the security apparatus, claiming that Haniyeh’s assassination was the result of a sophisticated operation involving the planting of an explosive device within the guesthouse where Haniyeh was residing. The report alleged that the bomb was hidden in the guesthouse approximately two months before the assassination and was detonated remotely once it was confirmed that Haniyeh was inside the room. The explosion, according to the report, not only killed Haniyeh but also claimed the life of one of his bodyguards.

The New York Times article went further, suggesting that the assassination was a result of meticulous planning and extensive surveillance, pointing to a severe breach in the security set up in the area where the guesthouse is located. The compound is managed by the IRGC, whose primary role is to protect the Islamic Republic’s political leadership and maintain internal security. The report highlighted the embarrassment this security lapse has caused for the IRGC, as the compound is typically used to host prominent visitors and is considered a highly secure facility.

CNN echoed the narrative presented by The New York Times, citing a source familiar with the operation who claimed that the bomb had been hidden in the guesthouse two months prior to the assassination. This source also asserted to CNN that the bomb was detonated remotely once Haniyeh was inside the room, further lending credence to the narrative that the assassination was premeditated and executed with precision.

However, Khaled Qaddoumi, the representative of Hamas in Tehran, has strongly refuted these claims. In an interview with The New Arab daily, Qaddoumi dismissed the bomb narrative as entirely false and misleading. He described the incident as an aerial attack, stating that the building where Haniyeh was staying shook violently at 01:37 am, leading him to initially believe it was an earthquake or a thunderstorm. Upon investigating the situation, Qaddoumi and his team discovered that the walls and roof of Haniyeh’s room had collapsed, and it was evident that the attack had been carried out using a projectile or missile.

Qaddoumi expressed his reluctance to divulge further details, citing the ongoing investigation by Iranian technical teams, but he criticized American and Israeli media for propagating a false narrative. He suggested that these reports were intended to obscure Israel’s responsibility for the attack and allow it to evade the consequences. According to Qaddoumi, Israel not only designed the operation but also carried it out with the full knowledge and approval of the United States.

The IfRGC’s statement also included a stern warning to Israel, promising that it would face harsh repercussions for the assassination of Haniyeh. While Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for the attack, both Iran and Hamas have unequivocally blamed Israel, with support from the United States. Reports suggest that Israeli intelligence briefed the United States and other Western governments about the operation shortly after it took place, adding further credence to the accusations against Israel.

The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, a key figure in the Palestinian resistance movement, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Haniyeh, who had been living in Qatar after relocating there from Gaza, was in Tehran to attend the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian when the attack occurred. His death has not only sparked outrage among his supporters but also highlighted the vulnerabilities in Iran’s security apparatus, particularly within the IRGC.

As investigations continue, the IRGC and Hamas are determined to uncover the full truth behind the assassination and hold those responsible accountable. In the meantime, the contrasting narratives presented by Iranian and Western sources have only added to the complexity and controversy surrounding the incident. The IRGC’s rejection of the bomb narrative and its insistence on the use of a short-range projectile as the weapon of choice further deepens the mystery and underscores the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.

In summary, while The New York Times and CNN have reported that Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated by a bomb planted within his guesthouse in Tehran, the IRGC and Hamas representatives have categorically denied this version of events. Instead, they assert that Haniyeh was killed by a short-range projectile launched from outside the residence, a claim that has yet to be fully substantiated but reflects the intense and conflicting narratives surrounding this high-profile assassination.

Ismail Haniyeh Killing: Key Points

1. Haniyeh was killed by a “short-range projectile” launched from outside his Tehran residence, says Iran’s IRGC.
2. NYT and CNN, after quoting US and Iran sources, claimed Haniyeh was assassinated by a bomb planted in his guesthouse.
3. Iran and Hamas blame Israel, with U.S. support, for the assassination.
4. Hamas representative Khaled Qaddoumi rejected the bomb narrative, calling it misleading.
5. The attack is seen as a significant intelligence failure for the IRGC.
6. Qaddoumi accused the U.S. of complicity, citing recent meetings with Israeli officials.
7. The IRGC vowed Israel would face punishment for the attack.
8. Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed in the early hours of August 31.
9. Iranian technical teams are investigating the incident further.
10. The IRGC and Hamas criticised American and Israeli media for their reports.