The political leader of Hamas has been assassinated in Iran as the terror group vows to take revenge.

Ismail Haniyeh, who escaped Gaza to hide out in Qatar, was travelling to attend the new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's inauguration.

Israel's Defence Forces seized the chance to hit Haniyeh at a residence in Tehran, killing the 61-year-old and his security staff.

Israel faced a retaliatory strike launched by either Iran or Hezbollah.

Ismail Haniyeh, who escaped Gaza to hide out in Qatar, was travelling to attend the new Iranian President's Masoud Pezeshkian inaugurationREUTERS

Hamas is also at risk of pulling out of ceasefire talks

"Brother leader, mujahid Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the movement, died in a Zionist strike on his residence in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration of the new (Iranian) President," Hamas said in a statement.