The Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, gave orders for his armed forces to strike Israel directly in retaliation for Tuesday’s killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, according to state media in Iran.
The decision was reportedly made after the theocracy’s National Security Council held an emergency meeting shortly after the operation targeting the 62-year-old terror chief, hours after he attended the swearing-in of President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Any specific actions remain unclear, but sources in Tehran have stated that officials are deciding whether to act unilaterally or partake in a joint effort with the region’s many allied militias.
In addition to preparing for offensive measures against the Jewish state, Khamenei was said to have also requested that plans be adopted to mitigate any reaction from Jerusalem.
The possibility of a forceful response from Tehran was underscored by Lisa Daftari, Middle East analyst and editor-in-chief at The Foreign Desk, who told Fox News, “It’s not surprising that the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader is vowing to avenge Haniyeh’s assassination. Haniyeh was a guest of the regime’s, visiting for the inauguration of their new president when the attack took place, delivering a message to both Hamas and to the regime.”
In April, the Iranian regime executed its first direct incursion on Israeli territory, but the assault was mostly thwarted by the IDF's defensive maneuvers and the support of regional partners.
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