Erdoğan's first statement following Haniyeh assassination

Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the inauguration ceremony of newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian when he was assassinated.

According to Iranian state television, citing the Revolutionary Guards' statement, Haniyeh died in a terrorist attack on his residence in Tehran.

Hamas: Will Not Go Unpunished

Confirming Haniyeh's death, Hamas declared, "Haniyeh was killed in Tehran as a result of a Zionist attack. The assassination of our leader is a cowardly act and will not go unpunished."

Iran also announced that the assassination is under investigation and results will be announced soon.

Erdoğan's First Statement

Following Haniyeh's death, AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a striking statement.

In his post on X, Erdoğan said:

"I strongly condemn and curse the treacherous assassination carried out against Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

This assassination is an atrocity aimed at thwarting the Palestinian cause, undermining Gaza’s glorious resistance, and demoralizing and intimidating our Palestinian brothers.

The same purpose behind the heinous attacks previously directed at Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, Abdul Aziz al-Rantisi, and many other Gazan political figures is also behind the assassination of my brother Ismail Haniyeh; however, Zionist barbarism will not achieve its goals as it has failed to do so until now.

With a stronger stance from the Islamic world and the alliance of humanity, the oppression and genocide in Gaza, as well as the terror Israel unleashes in our region, will come to an end, and our region and the world will attain peace.

For this, Turkey will continue to explore all avenues, push all boundaries, and support our Palestinian brothers with all our capabilities and strength. We will persist in our efforts to establish a free, sovereign, and independent State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the 1967 borders.

I extend my condolences to the family of my brother Ismail Haniyeh, who was martyred as a result of this vile attack, and wish patience for his family. I offer my condolences to our brothers in Gaza, the Palestinian people, and the Islamic world.

May Allah grant him paradise and honor him with His beauty."