Ismail Haniyeh's Death: Iran Threatens Israel with 'Heavy Price'

• Officials in Iran are condemning the Israeli strike on Tehran that resulted in the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
• The Zionist regime has set the stage for severe punishment with its actions, according to Ayatollah Khamenei.
• Israel has not yet commented on Haniyeh's death.

Officials in Iran are condemning the Israeli strike on Tehran that resulted in the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Hamas and Iran's Revolutionary Guard have confirmed the death of Hamas' longtime political leader, Haniyeh, and blamed Israel. Israel has not yet commented on the matter. CNBC has reached out to Israel's foreign ministry for comment.

According to Iranian state media, Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani and former commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Mohsen Rezaei, separately stated that Israel will face severe consequences.

Ayatollah Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, stated that the "Zionist regime" has prepared for severe punishment due to its criminal and terrorist actions. He added that it is their duty to carry out the punishment, as Haniyeh was killed in Iran. Tehran and other countries that do not recognize Israel often refer to it as "the Zionist regime."

Haniyeh, a relatively moderate figure in Hamas, served as the chief of the organization's politburo and led cease-fire negotiations as well as the group's regional diplomatic efforts. In 2017, he was appointed head of Hamas' political wing before moving to Qatar in exile in 2019.

In 2018, the U.S. State Department labeled Haniyeh as a terrorist, stating that he supported armed struggle, including against civilians. Additionally, the department declared that Hamas operations were responsible for the deaths of 17 American lives in terrorist attacks.

The recent conflict in Gaza and the Israeli strike on Beirut have led to the death of Haniyeh, a prominent figure in the Middle East.

In response to Haniyeh's death, Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran and aligned with Hamas, issued a statement. The group stated that the martyrdom of the leader Haniyeh would increase the determination and stubbornness of resistance fighters in all arenas to continue the path of jihad and make their resolve stronger in confronting the Zionist enemy.