(CNN) — Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh has been killed in the Iranian capital Tehran, Iranian state media Press TV reported Wednesday, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Hamas issued a statement shortly after the announcement saying Haniyeh was killed in what it said was an Israeli “raid” on his residence in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration of the new Iranian president.
CNN has reached out to the Israeli military for comment on Hamas’ claim.
It is not clear precisely when Haniyeh was killed. The new Iranian president was sworn in on Tuesday.
The timing comes at an especially fraught time for the Middle East, with escalating confrontations between Israel and Hezbollah threatening to expand into a wider regional war and as Hamas continues to battle Israel’s military in Gaza.
Haniyeh was a longtime political leader of the militant group.
The 62-year-old was born in a refugee camp near Gaza City, and joined Hamas in the late 1980s during the First Intifada, or uprising.
As Hamas grew in power, Haniyeh rose through the ranks – being appointed part of a secret “collective leadership” in 2004, then being named the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority in 2006.
By 2017 he had become chief of the group – and was named a “specially designated global terrorist” by the United States soon after.
Over the years, he has participated in peace talks with former US President Jimmy Carter, and met with other world leaders including the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, and Chinese diplomat Wang Kejian earlier this year.
In April, Israeli airstrikes killed three of Haniyeh’s sons and four of his grandchildren, according to Hamas.
At the time, Haniyeh – who was based in Qatar – insisted their deaths would not affect ongoing ceasefire and hostage talks.
“Whoever thinks that by targeting my kids during the negotiation talks and before a deal is agreed upon that it will force Hamas to back down on its demands, is delusional,” he said.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
