News Coverage of Haniyeh's Death in Tehran Restricted, Attorney General Threatens Media Activists

Following the death of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, the Attorney General's office issued a statement prohibiting media and virtual activists from publishing related news, labeling it as "spreading rumors." Iranian state media reported that media activists should refrain from addressing topics that "disturb the psychological security" of society. The Attorney General also instructed security agencies to monitor social media, media outlets, and individuals who engage in "spreading rumors" or "disrupting the psychological security of society," to file cases against them and refer them to the judiciary. The Islamic Republic has consistently used such terminology to suppress the free flow of information, public opinion, and civil, political, and media activists during tense periods. Early Wednesday morning, the Public Relations office of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that the residence of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of the terrorist group Hamas in Tehran, was struck, resulting in the deaths of Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards. This incident sparked significant reactions. Since the initial news broke, no new information regarding the circumstances of Haniyeh's death has been released by the Islamic Republic. Previously, government sources in Iran, including the Fars news agency and the Telegram channel of the Quds Force, reported that Ismail Haniyeh was killed "around 2:30 AM." According to these sources, Haniyeh was located in "one of the special residences for war veterans in northern Tehran" and was killed by "a projectile from the air." The Mizan news agency, affiliated with the judiciary of the Islamic Republic, claimed that a "knowledgeable Iranian source" stated that Haniyeh's death in Tehran was "caused by a missile fired from one country to another and was not carried out from within Iran." Images of Ismail Haniyeh embracing a medical professional during the "inauguration" ceremony were also noted. The U.S. supported Israel's approach in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations. Oil prices increased following the death of the "Hamas leader" and rising tensions in the Middle East. The Tehran Stock Exchange experienced an unprecedented drop; Haniyeh's death disrupted the markets, with the dollar reaching 61,000 tomans. The Israeli Minister of Heritage reacted to Haniyeh's death, stating: "The right way to cleanse the world of this filth." Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran.