- cross-posted to:
- nytimes@rss.ponder.cat
- cross-posted to:
- nytimes@rss.ponder.cat
An explosive device hidden in a heavily guarded complex where Ismail Haniyeh was known to stay in Iran was what killed him, according to a Times investigation.
Ismail Haniyeh, a top leader of Hamas, was assassinated on Wednesday by an explosive device covertly smuggled into the Tehran guesthouse where he was staying, according to seven Middle Eastern officials, including two Iranians, and an American official.
The bomb had been hidden approximately two months ago in the guesthouse, according to five of the Middle Eastern officials. The guesthouse is run and protected by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and is part of a large compound, known as Neshat, in an upscale neighborhood of northern Tehran.
Mr. Haniyeh was in Iran’s capital for the presidential inauguration. The bomb was detonated remotely, the five officials said, once it was confirmed that he was inside his room at the guesthouse. The blast also killed a bodyguard.
This is some Sam Fisher Splinter Cell infiltration shit that you’d usually expect to see in video games or Hollywood, not in real life.
Based some of the revealed history of some of these agencies, I feel like Hollywood is both closer and much further off than the reality of what happens. Closer in that history is stranger then fiction, and much further off in that these agencies are not monolithic decision makers and the hydraheaded nature of a political/bureaucracy makes for some strange decision.
I’m quite curious about spycraft and special operations and you’re right. There are some real-life ops that a movie audience would dismiss as hard to believe or downright phony.
And Israel is way in the top when it comes to insane military, special operations, spy, and assassination WTFs.
Good observation. I agree.
Almost certainly not Splinter Cell, creep around in the dark style. It was probably someone who was invited to stay there that planted it, when their guard was lower, or maybe someone disguised as workers doing electrical repairs or something. You can get almost anywhere with a high-vis vest and confidence. You can’t by sneaking around in the dark.
They probably knocked out a guard and then wore their clothes to get in the building. Because everybody identifies each other according to clothing and not facial features they were able to get in.
Then if the Intruder was caught they could always have thrown their briefcase very slowly across the room.
I love Splinter Cell and and would rather play any game in the series… But you went with it when Hitman exists!?
I have a feeling it was more Paul Blart then Sam Fisher. If they riding find a bomb in 2 months then they aren’t finding it on you.
It could have been an opportunity like they had renovations in the building, an agent disguised as a worker planted it inside the wall or something. Or like a plot on a Sopranos episode, feds snuck into Tony’s house and swapped a lamp with an exact replica with a listening device inside. Definite security failure for a secure compound though.
I believe there are two possibilities: either an Israeli agent snuck inside the house and planted the bomb or they were able to ‘turn’ someone who has access to the house and convince them to plant the bomb. Either way, it doesn’t look good for the IRGC. Heads will roll, perhaps literally.
A safe house with a high value target not checking for two months is crap security.