According to the New York Times, citing three Iranian officials, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has ordered direct targeting of several military sites in Israel in retaliation for the deadly attack on Ismail Haniyeh.
The directive was reportedly issued during an emergency meeting of Iran’s National Security Council on Wednesday morning, shortly after Haniyeh’s assassination.
The New York Times further reported that Khamenei directed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the military to prepare plans for an attack on Israel.
The Supreme Leader has also emphasized defense preparations because of possible Israeli and American attacks on Iran.
The report said it was unclear how strongly Iran would react to Haniyeh’s killing and whether further attacks would be carried out to prevent further escalation of tensions. Military commanders in Iran are reportedly considering a joint drone and missile strike against military targets near Tel Aviv and Haifa, intending to avoid civilian casualties.
The sources indicated that an option being considered would involve a coordinated offensive by Iranian forces and their proxy groups in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq to maximize impact.
On Wednesday Hamas confirmed that Ismail Haniyeh was killed in a missile attack at his residence in Tehran.
Most Importantly, the assassination highlighted Iran’s intelligence shortcomings and called into question the effectiveness of the country’s efforts to consolidate power and maintain surveillance over Israeli activities and other dissidents.
The report also stated that Haniya and other important guests were attacked at a high-security IRGC guest house in the capital.
Many supporters of the Islamic Republic are reportedly angered by the IRGC’s failure to stop the killing, with some saying that only a few top security officials knew of Haniyeh’s whereabouts. Social media are calling for Iran to focus on internal security and ensure the safety of its top officials.
In a post on X, Alireza Katbi Jahrumi, a journalist and government supporter, urged Iran to ensure the safety of Supreme Leader Khamenei before retaliating. Analysts have told The New York Times that Iran’s response to Haniyeh’s killing is similar to that of other powerful Israeli opponents, such as Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah or Quds Force commander Ismail Qaani, who manages militias outside Iran. considers it important to prevent
“Iran likely believes that it can deter further Israeli attacks, defend its sovereignty, and maintain its credibility with its regional allies,” Ali Waez, director of the Iran program at the International Crisis Group, told the newspaper. There is no option but to retaliate.
The killing of Ismail Haniyeh has significantly increased tensions between Iran and Israel, prompting a strong response from Tehran.
The directives issued by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei reflect a determination to retaliate and show force, while also highlighting concerns over Iran’s intelligence capabilities and internal security.