Khamenei Orders Strike on Israel Following Haniyeh Assassination
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly ordered a direct strike on Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, according to a report on Wednesday. The directive was given during an emergency meeting of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, held shortly after Haniyeh’s death was confirmed.
The order instructs commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian Army to prepare both attack and defense plans, especially in the event of an escalation involving strikes by Israel or the United States. The assassination of Haniyeh, who was in Tehran for the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has further strained the already tense situation in the region.
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Israel has not officially commented on the incident, which occurred amid its ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza and follows a recent Israeli strike in Beirut that killed senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while addressing the nation on Wednesday evening, warned of “challenging days ahead” but assured that Israel was “ready for every scenario.” He did not specifically mention Haniyeh’s assassination.
Khamenei’s directive marks a significant escalation, with potential plans for a combined drone and missile assault on military targets around Tel Aviv and Haifa. The IRGC is also reportedly considering coordinating the attack with Iranian proxies in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq for maximum impact.
The international community, including the United States, has expressed concerns over the possibility of wider regional conflict. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reiterated America’s commitment to Israel’s defense and called for efforts to de-escalate the situation through diplomacy.