Khamenei reportedly orders direct strike on Israel in retaliation for Haniyeh assassination

According to a New York Times report, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has ordered Iranian forces to make a direct strike on Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

The report is based on the anonymous testimony of three Iranian officials who told the NYT that Khamenei issued the order during an emergency meeting of the Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC).

The officials also stated that Khamenei ordered the commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to have attack and defense plans in place “in the event that the war expands and Israel or the United States strike Iran.”

While Israel has not publicly acknowledged a role in the killing of Haniyeh, it has previously carried out strikes within Iran, including attacks allegedly launched from within Iranian territory. Israel is believed to be directly responsible for the 2020 death of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh outside Tehran, as well as the killings of several other nuclear scientists before that.

A May 2022 drone attack on the Parchin military complex, southeast of Tehran, is also widely believed to be an Israeli strike, despite Israel also not commenting on the attack.

On Wednesday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered an address to the nation. While he did not directly comment on Haniyeh’s assassination, he stated that the nation is “prepared for any scenario.”

“We are prepared for any scenario and we will stand united and determined against any threat,” Netanyahu stated. “Israel will exact a very heavy price for aggression against us from whatever quarter.”

Israel’s defense establishment is reportedly preparing to defend Israel against an Iranian retaliation, despite not officially taking responsibility for the assassination.

While the form of retaliation remains uncertain, N12 News reported that the IDF is preparing for another large-scale missile and drone attack, similar to what occurred after the killing of senior IRGC commander Mohammad Reza Zahedi.

According to the Iranian officials, that option is currently being considered, however, they also said that Iran would take care not to target civilian sites.

In a statement regarding Haniyeh’s death, Ayatollah Khamenei said, “With this action, the criminal and terrorist Zionist regime prepared the ground for harsh punishment for itself, and we consider it our duty to seek revenge for his blood as he was martyred in the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

According to N12, Israel sent messages through diplomatic channels to Lebanon and Tehran indicating it is prepared to go as far as all-out war if the other side responds in a way that would severely harm the country.

At the same time, Israel is also preparing for a potential escalation with Hezbollah forces in Lebanon, following the killing of Fuad Shukr in Beirut.