TEHRAN, Iran (AP) 鈥 Iran鈥檚 Revolutionary Guard said a short-range projectile was behind the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and accused the United States of supporting the attack which it blamed on Israel, state TV reported Saturday.
The televised statement, which reiterated a call for retaliation, said a rocket with a seven-kilogram (about 15-pound) warhead was used to target the residence of Hamas' political leader in the capital Tehran on Wednesday, adding it caused heavy devastation. It didn't share details of the residence's location.
was in Iran to attend the inauguration of newly elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
鈥淭he action was designed and carried out by the Zionist regime and supported by the U.S.,鈥 said the Guard's statement. It added that 鈥渢he warmongering and terrorist Zionist regime will receive harsh punishment in the suitable time, place, and capacity.鈥
Israel has not confirmed or denied its role in the killing of , but Israel earlier pledged to kill him and other Hamas leaders over the group鈥檚 on southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza.
The assassination has sparked fears of a wider regional conflict and of a direct confrontation between Israel and Iran if Tehran retaliates.
In April, , which said it intercepted 99%. The barrage came less than two weeks after a suspected Israeli strike in Syria killed two Iranian generals, and it marked the first time Iran had launched a direct military assault on Israel despite decades of enmity dating back to the country鈥檚 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iran does not recognize Israel and supports anti-Israeli militant groups including Hamas and Lebanon's Hezbollah.
