Iran is anticipated to launch a direct military response against Israel after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday morning. The New York Times, citing three sources including two members of the Revolutionary Guard, reported that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has mandated a direct strike on Israel in retaliation for the killing.
Following Haniyeh’s assassination, Khamenei declared that avenging the Hamas leader is a duty for Iran, especially since the incident occurred within its borders. The Supreme Leader issued this directive during an emergency meeting of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. Khamenei’s statements were also echoed in a post on the social media platform X, where he referred to the Zionist regime as criminal and terrorist, promising harsh punishment.
رژیم صهیونیستی یک دولت نیست؛
یک #باند_جنایتکار است، یک #باند_قاتل است، یک #باند_تروریست است.
اینها در ترور و قساوت و جنایت، در جنایتهای عجیب و غریب، نصاب جدیدی را در تاریخ جنایتکاری بشر در دنیا به جا گذاشتند؛ یک نصاب جدیدی به وجود آوردند.— KHAMENEI.IR | فارسی 🇮🇷 (@Khamenei_fa) July 31, 2024
“Martyr Haniyeh was willing to sacrifice his honorable life in this dignified battle for many years,” Khamenei stated on his official website. He emphasized the tragic nature of the event and reiterated Iran’s responsibility to seek retribution. Iran’s government has declared three days of mourning following the assassination.
This move comes amidst heightened tensions, with Iran having previously launched direct attacks on Israel. In April, a coalition of armies from the US, Israel, Jordan, and the UK intercepted 99% of Iran’s 300 drones and missiles aimed at Israel.
The circumstances of Haniyeh’s assassination remain unclear. Israel has not commented on the assassination, consistent with its usual practice of not publicly acknowledging operations carried out by its Mossad intelligence agency.
The situation continues to develop as both regional and international observers closely monitor Iran’s next steps in response to this significant escalation.
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