In a shocking breach that has sent tremors through Iran's power structures, the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran has triggered a massive security crackdown. Over two dozen arrests, including high-ranking intelligence officers and military officials, underscore the panic gripping the nation's leadership.
The killing occurred in a military-run guesthouse in northern Tehran, a compound supposedly fortified with bulletproof windows, air defense systems, and advanced radar.
Haniyeh, in Iran for the presidential inauguration, was killed by an explosion in the very room he frequently occupied during visits - a chilling detail that suggests long-term planning by the assassins.
Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards Corps has taken charge of the investigation, transforming the guesthouse into a crime scene. Staff have been quarantined, their electronic devices confiscated. Security agents are combing through months of surveillance footage, scrutinizing guest lists, and tracking staff movements.
The dragnet has expanded to Tehran's airports, with agents poring over camera feeds and flight manifests. Iranian authorities believe members of the hit team may still be in the country, adding urgency to their hunt.
In a stark indication of the crisis, security protocols for senior officials have been completely overhauled. Some have been relocated, their security details changed, and electronic equipment swapped out.
As Tehran seethes with anger and humiliation, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly ordered a retaliatory strike against Israel, raising fears of an imminent escalation in the region's shadow war.
With Iranian investigators racing to uncover how assassins penetrated their most secure defenses, and potentially still at large within the country, the Middle East holds its breath, bracing for Iran's next move in this high-stakes game of covert warfare.
* The New York Times contributed to this article.