Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has ordered a direct strike on Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
As per reports, three Iranian officials, including two members of the Revolutionary Guards, confirmed orders for direct strikes.
Khamenei issued the order during an emergency meeting of Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Wednesday morning, shortly after Iran announced Haniyeh's death.
Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of the assassination, although Israel, which is currently at war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, has neither confirmed nor denied it.
"Now it is unclear how forcefully Iran will respond, and whether it will once again calibrate its attack to steer clear of an escalation.
As per official sources, “Iranian military commanders are considering another combination attack of drones and missiles on military targets in the vicinity of Tel Aviv and Haifa, but would make a point of avoiding strikes on civilian targets.”
The assassination has heightened tensions between the two nations. Iran, which has tried to balance pressure on Israel with increased attacks by its allies and proxy forces, has so far avoided an all-out war.
However, the killing of Haniyeh, who was in Tehran for the inauguration of Iran's new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has crossed a significant red line for Iran.
Khamenei on Wednesday said the need for retaliation in his public statement, saying, "We see avenging his blood as our duty," and warning that Israel had set the stage for receiving "a severe punishment."
Other Iranian officials, including President Pezeshkian and the Guards, have echoed this sentiment, asserting Iran's right to defend its sovereignty.
The situation remains volatile, with Iranian military commanders preparing for a potential escalation. They are considering a coordinated attack involving allied forces from Yemen, Syria, and Iraq for maximum impact.
The assassination, carried out at a highly secure Revolutionary Guards guesthouse in Tehran, represents a significant security breach for Iran.
Iran is now compelled to respond to Israeli aggression following Haniyeh's killing, raising the alarm for other key figures such as Hezbollah's commander Hassan Nasrallah and General Ismail, who oversees Iran's Quds Force.
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