Tehran Mourn Hamas Leader Haniyeh Amid Calls for Retaliation

Ismail Haniyeh, referred to as Tehran’s “guest,” was killed in the Iranian capital as Israel’s conflict with Gaza intensifies.

The ultraconservative Keyhan newspaper, whose editor-in-chief is appointed by Iran’s supreme leader, headlined with “Avenging the blood of the guest is with the host, the world is waiting.” Many top newspapers echoed themes of vengeance, defiance, and mourning.

“We must give a strong response to Israel; anything less would disappoint many,” said Hamid Hajian, 46, who attended the funeral. “There seemed to be a ceasefire deal for Gaza, but that’s now off the table. Talking isn’t helping, and I hope Iran responds more forcefully than last time,” he added, referring to an earlier attack on Israel following an airstrike on Iran’s consulate in Syria.

Iran’s leaders have promised severe retaliation for the killing of their “guest.” Haniyeh was assassinated hours after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s inauguration ceremony.

A red flag was raised at the Jamkaran Mosque in Qom, symbolizing a pledge of blood. Tehran’s Milad Tower was illuminated in red overnight. On Thursday, Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, hinted that the response might involve a coordinated effort with the “axis of resistance,” a regional network of armed groups backed by Tehran.

Haniyeh Killed by Missile Strike

Khalil al-Hayya, deputy head of Hamas in Gaza, reported at a Tehran news conference that a missile struck Haniyeh’s room, killing him and his bodyguard in an attack that directly hit the building’s floor where he was staying. A photo released by Sabereen News, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, purportedly showed the assassination site—a multistory building with visible damage. Al Jazeera has not independently verified the image. The guesthouse was located in the Saadabad Palace Complex in north Tehran, an area reserved for foreign dignitaries and state visits.

Iranian officials have not confirmed specific details of the assassination, only stating that a guided “airborne projectile” targeted Haniyeh’s residence. An analyst on Iranian state media suggested Haniyeh may have been tracked due to using the same SIM card outside Iran.

Concerns Over Escalating Conflict

Amid concerns of escalating conflict, some in Iran are wary of the situation worsening. “I hope it won’t escalate much further, and I believe we’re not at the point of direct war yet, but a lot depends on Iran’s response,” said a 24-year-old woman in Tehran who asked to remain anonymous. “If Iran’s attack kills Israelis, it’s dangerous because the Israelis are relentless,” she added.

Israel has not commented on the assassination but had previously vowed to target Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders following the October 7 incursion into southern Israel, where 1,139 people were killed.

The United States, claiming no prior knowledge of the attack on Haniyeh, has reportedly urged Iran via intermediaries to refrain from striking Israel, but Iran has firmly rejected this.

Meanwhile, Tehran’s financial markets initially reacted with concern. The stock market fell by 2% on Wednesday as Iran headed into the weekend. The national currency, the rial, also depreciated by about 3%, reaching over 600,000 to the US dollar. However, after years of enduring turbulence from US sanctions to war fears, markets are not expected to face further significant disruption unless a full-scale conflict emerges.

Ali, a 31-year-old data analyst in Tehran, does not anticipate such a scenario. “Things are unfolding rapidly; we’ve experienced events this year that many might never see in a lifetime. But I think Iran and Israel will likely target military sites and avoid a broader war.”