Nitin Gadkari Attends Iranian President’s Inauguration Hours Before Ismail Haniyeh's Death - See Pics

Ismail Haniyeh, the prominent leader of Hamas, was killed early Wednesday in a predawn airstrike in Tehran, according to Iranian state media.

The strike occurred less than 24 hours after Haniyeh participated in the inauguration ceremony of Iran's new president, Masoud Pezeshkian.

High-Profile Inauguration Ceremony

On Tuesday, Haniyeh attended a high-profile event where he shared the stage with various international dignitaries, including Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. The inauguration was also graced by leaders from Armenia, Tajikistan, Egypt, Sudan, Iraq, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Cuba, and Brazil, as well as European Union envoy Enrique Mora. Notable regional allies, such as Islamic Jihad leader Ziyad al-Nakhalah and representatives from Hezbollah and Yemen's Huthi rebels, were also present.

Alleged Israeli Airstrike and Regional Tensions

The attack on Haniyeh has been attributed by Iran and Hamas to Israel, a claim that has heightened tensions in an already volatile region. Iran's Supreme Leader has pledged revenge against Israel in response to what is being called a provocative assassination. This incident follows another Israeli operation targeting a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut, further straining regional relations.

Israel's Previous Actions and Reactions

Israel has not yet commented on the airstrike, but the country had previously vowed to eliminate Hamas leaders following the group's deadly attack on southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of around 250 hostages.

Diplomatic Significance of Nitin Gadkari's Presence

Nitin Gadkari's presence at the inauguration underscores the close ties between India and Iran. Pezeshkian's inauguration marks a significant moment for Iran, coming after the tragic death of hardline President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash earlier this year.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that good wishes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi were conveyed to President Pezeshkian by Nitin Gadkari on the occasion of assuming office.

It was mentioned that during the interactions of Minister Nitin Gadkari in Iran, the state of bilateral relations, including cooperation on the development of Chabahar Port, was positively assessed by both sides.

In a post on 'X', it was stated by Gadkari: "Heartfelt congratulations to H.E. @drpezeshkian on behalf of Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji, the Indian Government, and the people of India."

"We look forward to continued collaboration and mutual growth, reaffirming our commitment to furthering India-Iran relations across various sectors for the prosperity and development of both countries," he wrote on the social media platform. With the post, a few group photos were shared in which one can see that Gadkari is sharing the stage with the late Hama Leader Haniyeh.