In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has ordered a direct strike on Israel following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. The New York Times reports that the directive came during an emergency meeting of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council on Wednesday morning, citing three Iranian officials, including two members of the Revolutionary Guards.
Haniyeh, in Tehran for the inauguration of Iran’s new president, was killed early Wednesday. Both Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of orchestrating the assassination. Israel, currently engaged in conflict with Hamas in Gaza, has neither confirmed nor denied involvement.
Following the assassination, Khamenei asserted Iran’s right to retaliate, calling the act a severe provocation on Iranian soil. He instructed military commanders from both the Revolutionary Guards and the regular army to prepare for potential escalation, including both offensive and defensive strategies.
Iranian officials are considering a coordinated attack involving drones and missiles targeting military sites near Tel Aviv and Haifa, while avoiding civilian areas to limit the risk of a wider war. A multi-front assault involving Iran’s allies in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq is also under discussion for maximum impact.
Israel has a long history of targeting its enemies abroad, including Iranian military figures and nuclear scientists. The assassination of Haniyeh follows almost ten months of war in Gaza, during which Iran has increased pressure on Israel through its regional allies, balancing this with efforts to avoid full-scale conflict.
In a significant escalation in April, Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones in retaliation for an Israeli strike on its embassy in Damascus, which resulted in the deaths of several Iranian military commanders.
Analysts suggest that Tehran views retaliation as essential not only for avenging Haniyeh’s death but also as a deterrent against future Israeli assassinations of key figures like Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah or General Ismail Qaani of the Quds Forces.
Ali Vaez, the Iran director of the International Crisis Group, stated, “Iran likely believes it has no choice other than retaliating to deter further Israeli attacks, defend its sovereignty, and preserve its credibility in the eyes of its regional partners.”
Iran’s newly elected president, Masoud Pezeshkian, along with other high-ranking officials, has openly declared that Iran will retaliate against Israel to defend its sovereignty. Leaders from Hamas, Hezbollah, and other allied groups were present in Tehran for Pezeshkian’s inauguration, further highlighting the regional implications of Haniyeh’s assassination.
The assassination, occurring at a highly secure Revolutionary Guards guesthouse during a period of heightened security, represents a significant breach and embarrassment for Iran, which prides itself on its security apparatus. This incident underscores the ongoing covert operations carried out by Israel within Iran.
The assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has significantly escalated tensions between Iran and Israel, with potential for wider regional conflict. As Iran prepares for a direct military response, the international community watches closely, anticipating the next moves in this volatile standoff.
