Nitin Gadkari recalls meeting Hamas chief hours before his assassination in Iran

Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday recalled a dramatic incident from 2024, when he met the head of Hamas’s political bureau just hours before the leader was assassinated in Iran.

Speaking recently at a book launch, Gadkari referred to his visit to Tehran in July 2024 to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. He said he was asked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to represent India at the event and noted that one particular guest stood out during the ceremony.

Although Gadkari did not name the individual, his remarks appeared to refer to Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas political chief who was killed in Tehran after attending Pezeshkian’s inauguration.

A handshake, then shocking news

Recalling the event, Gadkari said dignitaries were received at a five-star hotel, where they were served refreshments ahead of the ceremony. He said Haniyeh caught his attention as the only leader present who was not representing any country.

“When I shook hands with him and asked, I was told that he was the chief of Hamas. He was accompanying the Iranian chief justice and prime minister because the Iranian government had given him priority,” Gadkari said.

After the ceremony, Gadkari said he returned to his room after dinner, only to be woken early the next morning. “At around 4 am, the ambassador came and told me we had to leave. When I asked why, I was informed that the powerful Hamas leader had been killed inside his room,” he said, highlighting that the assassination took place despite the leader being lodged in a specially secured room.

Gadkari cited the incident while stressing the importance of futuristic technology and vision in areas such as trade, defence, business and exports.

Haniyeh’s assassination

Ismail Haniyeh, 62, the Qatar-based head of Hamas, was in Tehran to attend President Pezeshkian’s swearing-in ceremony in July 2024. Iranian authorities later said he was killed by a “short-range projectile” launched from outside his accommodation.

Both Hamas and Iran’s Revolutionary Guards accused Israel of carrying out the assassination.

Gadkari was among several international dignitaries who attended the ceremony on July 30, 2024, where he conveyed Prime Minister Modi’s good wishes to President Pezeshkian on assuming office.