The revelations that Iran was harboring an al-Qaida leader could help Israel bolster its case with the new U.S. administration. but his presence in Iran, which has a long history of hostility toward al-Qaida, presented significant obstacles to either apprehending or killing him. Iran denied the reports, saying the government is not harboring any al-Qaida leaders and blaming the U.S. and Israel for trying to foment anti-Iranian sentiment. Lebanese media, citing Iranian reports, said that those killed were Lebanese citizen Habib Daoud and his daughter Maraym. Hezbollah never commented on reports and Lebanese security officials did not report that any citizens were killed in Tehran.

Source: The Hindu November 15, 2020 01:52 UTC