This holiday season, give to:

Truth and understanding

The Media Line's intrepid correspondents are in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Pakistan providing first-person reporting.

They all said they cover it.
We see it.

We report with just one agenda: the truth.

Please support TML's boots on the ground.
Donate
The Media Line The Media Line
Khamenei Orders Strike on Israel Following Haniyeh Assassination
A protester holding up a poster featuring Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (L), Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (R), and Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Iran, on July 31, 2024. (Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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.

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.

TheMediaLine
WHAT WOULD YOU GIVE TO CHANGE THE MISINFORMATION
about the
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR?
Personalize Your News
Upgrade your experience by choosing the categories that matter most to you.
Click on the icon to add the category to your Personalize news
Browse Categories and Topics