Iran shot down Haniyeh

The assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran by a short-range projectile has escalated tensions in the region, with Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) accusing Israel and the U.S. of orchestrating the attack. The IRGC stated that the projectile, loaded with a 7 kg warhead, caused significant destruction and vowed that Israel would face 'harsh punishment' for the act. Concurrently, Hezbollah has launched numerous rockets at Israel, citing retaliation for Israeli strikes in Lebanon, further heightening the risk of conflict. U.S. President Biden expressed hope that Iran would refrain from military retaliation, but the situation remains volatile. The IRGC has also reported arrests of senior officers in connection with the assassination, suggesting a complex internal and external political landscape. Concerns about a wider regional conflict loom as Iran stands firm on its promise of retaliation for Haniyeh's death.