Iran has arrested more than two dozen individuals, including senior intelligence officers, military officials, and staff from a military-run guesthouse, following the massive security breach in Tehran that led to the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh.
The arrests follow a deadly explosion early Wednesday that killed Haniyeh, who was a prominent Hamas leader and was in Tehran for the inauguration of Iran’s new president, The New York Times (NYT) reported. The assassination occurred at a heavily secured guesthouse in northern Tehran, a location used frequently by Haniyeh during his visits.
The scale of the Iranian response shows the gravity of the security failure, as the assassination happened within hours of the new president’s swearing-in ceremony. According to Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group, this incident could severely damage Iran’s regime, signaling that it can neither protect its own territory nor its allies.
How Haniyeh Was Assassinated
Both Iranian and Middle Eastern officials have suggested that the bomb used in the attack was planted months in advance, specifically targeting Haniyeh’s room. Both Iranian and Hamas officials, supported by several US officials, have accused Israel of orchestrating the assassination. Israel has not confirmed its involvement but has previously vowed to dismantle Hamas’s operations.
READ MORE: How ‘Mossad Hired Iranian Agents’ To Plant Explosives That Killed Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), which specialises in intelligence and espionage, has taken charge of the investigation. According to the NYT, the IRGC agents are searching for those responsible and attempting to uncover the full extent of the assassination plot. The outfit is yet to release detailed information about the arrests or the investigation’s progress but has promised severe retaliation.
The attack, which also resulted in the death of Haniyeh’s Palestinian bodyguard, has led to a comprehensive overhaul of Iran’s security protocols. The IRGC has conducted extensive raids, quarantining guesthouse staff, confiscating electronic devices, and interrogating military and intelligence officials. In addition to the guesthouse raid, Iranian agents have been scrutinizing surveillance footage from airports and guest lists, believing that members of the assassin team may still be within Iran.
The investigation has led to heightened security measures for senior officials, including changes in security details and relocation of some officials. Former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said that Israel’s actions are an attempt to destabilise Iran. He has called for enhanced cooperation among all security and intelligence agencies to address the threat posed by such breaches. The assassination of Haniyeh adds to a series of attacks that have plagued Iran and further strained the regional security apparatus.
Comments
0 comment