Khamenei orders direct strikes on Israel in response to Haniyeh’s assassination

According to the New York Times, citing three Iranian officials, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has ordered that, in retaliation for the deadly attack on Ismail Haniyeh, several military sites in Israel should be directly targeted.

This directive was reportedly issued during an emergency session of the Iranian National Security Council held on Wednesday morning, shortly after Haniyeh’s assassination.

The New York Times further reported that Khamenei had instructed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the military to prepare plans for an attack on Israel.

The Supreme Leader has also called for defensive preparedness in anticipation of potential Israeli and American attacks on Iran.

The report notes that it is unclear how intensely Iran will respond to Haniyeh’s assassination and whether further attacks will be carried out to prevent an escalation of tensions. Military commanders in Iran are reportedly considering a combined drone and missile strike against military targets near Tel Aviv and Haifa while aiming to avoid civilian casualties.

Sources indicated that one option being considered involves a coordinated attack by Iranian forces and their proxy groups in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq to maximize impact.

Hamas confirmed on Wednesday that Ismail Haniyeh was killed by a missile strike at his residence in Tehran. The New York Times stated that this assassination has shocked Iranian officials, who view it as crossing the Islamic Republic’s red lines.

Importantly, the assassination has highlighted Iran’s intelligence shortcomings and questioned the effectiveness of the country’s efforts to project power and maintain oversight over Israeli activities and other adversaries.

The report also mentioned that Haniyeh and other prominent guests were attacked at a highly secure IRGC guesthouse in the capital.

Many supporters of the Islamic Republic are reportedly angered by the IRGC’s failure to prevent the assassination, with some saying that only a few senior security officials knew Haniyeh’s whereabouts. There are calls on social media for Iran to focus on internal security and ensuring the protection of its senior officials.

In a post on X, Alireza Katbi Jahromi, a journalist and regime supporter, urged Iran to ensure the safety of Supreme Leader Khamenei before seeking revenge. Analysts have told the New York Times that Iran sees a retaliatory response to Haniyeh’s assassination as crucial to deterring the killing of other powerful Israeli adversaries, such as Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah or Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani, who manages militias outside Iran.

Ali Vaez, the director of the Iran program at the International Crisis Group, told the newspaper that “Iran likely believes it has no choice but to retaliate to prevent further Israeli attacks, defend its sovereignty, and maintain its credibility with its regional allies.”

The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh has significantly escalated tensions between Iran and Israel, leading to a pronounced response from Tehran.

The directives issued by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei reflect a commitment to retaliate and demonstrate strength while also highlighting concerns over Iran’s intelligence capabilities and internal security.

The situation underscores the precarious nature of geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East and the potential for further conflict.

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