TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said a short-range projectile was behind the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and accused the United States of supporting the attack which it blamed on Israel, state TV reported Saturday.
The televised statement, which reiterated a call for retaliation, said a rocket with a seven-kilogram (about 15-pound) warhead was used to target the residence of Hamas' political leader in the capital Tehran on Wednesday, adding it caused heavy devastation. It didn't share details of the residence's location.
Haniyeh was in Iran to attend the inauguration of newly elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
“The action was designed and carried out by the Zionist regime and supported by the U.S.,” said the Guard's statement. It added that “the warmongering and terrorist Zionist regime will receive harsh punishment in the suitable time, place, and capacity.”
Israel has not confirmed or denied its role in the killing of Haniyeh, but Israel earlier pledged to kill him and other Hamas leaders over the group’s Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza.
The assassination has sparked fears of a wider regional conflict and of a direct confrontation between Israel and Iran if Tehran retaliates.
President Joe Biden was asked Saturday night in Wilmington, Delaware whether he thought Iran would stand down. He responded: “I hope so. I don’t know.”
In April, Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel, which said it intercepted 99%. The barrage came less than two weeks after a suspected Israeli strike in Syria killed two Iranian generals, and it marked the first time Iran had launched a direct military assault on Israel despite decades of enmity dating back to the country’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iran does not recognize Israel and supports anti-Israeli militant groups including Hamas and Lebanon's Hezbollah.
Associated Press writer from Jonathan J. Cooper in Wilmington, Delaware contributed to this report.
Iranians follow a truck, center, carrying the coffins of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard who were killed in an assassination blamed on Israel on Wednesday, during their funeral ceremony at Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) Sq. in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
In this photo released by the Iranian Presidency Office, President Masoud Pezeshkian, right, meets Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, at the President's office in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (Iranian Presidency Office via AP)
This video grab shows senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, center, praying near the coffin of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard during the funeral prayers in Doha, Qatar, Friday Aug. 2, 2024. (Qatar TV via AP)
DETROIT (AP) — David Montgomery's 1-yard touchdown run in overtime lifted the Detroit Lions to a 26-20 win over the Matthew Stafford-led Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night in a rematch of their NFC wild-card game.
“Early in the season, a lot of games come down to who makes the fewest mistakes,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “We made one less than they did.”
The Lions lost a two-touchdown lead in the third quarter, but extended the game with Jake Bates' tying 32-yard field goal in the final minute of regulation.
Detroit won the coin flip and took advantage of having the ball, gaining at least 9 yards on its first four plays in overtime to set up Montgomery's winning score.
The Rams were in a position to spoil Detroit's season-opening party when Stafford threw a go-ahead, 9-yard touchdown pass to Cooper Kupp with 4:30 left in the fourth quarter.
They just couldn't make enough plays on both sides of the ball to hold on for the win.
Los Angeles put up quite a fight despite losing Pro Bowl receiver Puka Nacua and two linemen on its banged-up line.
“I’m really proud of this group,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. "We had a lot of guys go down and a lot of people stepped up.
“We just came up short.”
The Lions had a 17-3 lead in the third quarter after Jared Goff threw a 52-yard touchdown pass to Jameson Williams. They lost the comfortable cushion because their former star quarterback picked them apart and their current one threw an interception early in the fourth.
John Johnson intercepted Goff’s pass over the middle at the Rams 20, taking away Detroit’s chance to kick a field goal and restore its seven-point lead.
Stafford took advantage, leading a 10-play, 80-yard drive that he capped with the scoring pass to Kupp. He could not complete enough passes late in the fourth to keep the ball and seal the win, leading to a punt that gave Goff another shot from his 31 with 2:11 to go.
The Lions reached the Rams 14 and settled for Bates’ tying field goal that sent the game to overtime.
McVay insisted he did not regret a decision he made in the second quarter.
With a chance to attempt a 40-yard field goal when it was tied at 3, McVay elected to go for it and turned the ball over on downs when Stafford threw an incomplete pass that targeted Kupp.
“We came here to be aggressive and I wouldn’t take that decision back,” McVay said.
Stafford completed 34 of 49 passes for 317 yards with a touchdown and an interception, lobbing a ball in the middle of end zone where Kerby Joseph was waiting early in the second quarter. He took some hits, particularly on his right ankle, and popped up each time and make more plays.
“Give Matt Stafford a lot of credit he played lights out despite taking all those hits," Campbell said.
Kupp matched a career high with 14 receptions and had 110 yards receiving.
Goff was 18 of 28 for 217 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Williams tied a career high with five catches and set a personal best with 121 yards receiving.
“I’m proud of him,” Campbell said. “He still has a lot of room for growth. That wasn’t his best ball, but he made some plays.”
Montgomery had 17 carries for 91 yards and Jahmyr Gibbs ran 11 times for 40 yards — with both scoring a TD.
Rams: Nacua (knee) was hurt in the first half after catching four passes for 35 yards and didn’t return. ... LT Joe Noteboom (ankle) was carted off the field in the second quarter after starting in place of Alaric Jackson, who's serving a two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. LG Steve Avila (knee) went down later.
McVay said after the game that he did not have an update on the team's injured players.
Lions: DT D.J. Reader (leg) and S Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle) were inactive.
Rams: Stay on the road and play at Arizona on Sunday.
Lions: Host Tampa Bay on Sunday in a rematch from the divisional round of the playoffs, a game Detroit won 31-23.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tyler Johnson (18) stiff-arms Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) during a 63-yard reception during the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Joe Noteboom (70) rides a cart to the locker room after being injured against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) stiff-arms Los Angeles Rams safety John Johnson III (43) during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay watches against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) pressures Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) intercepts a pass intended for Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tyler Johnson (18) in the end zone as Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (32) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Detroit Lions fans celebrate a Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) touchdown run against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) runs the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) celebrates his interception with Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell watches against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) can't hold onto a pass as Detroit Lions cornerback Carlton Davis III (23) defends during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) is tackled by Detroit Lions cornerback Carlton Davis III (23) and linebacker Jack Campbell (46) during the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) looks to throw against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5). celebrates his one-yard touchdown run with Jameson Williams (9) against the Los Angeles Rams during overtime in an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) takes a moment after scoring a one-yard touchdown run against the Los Angeles Rams during overtime in an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) celebrates his one-yard touchdown run against the Los Angeles Rams during overtime in an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
