Following assassination of Hamas chief, Iran’s Khamenei orders a ‘direct’ attack on Israel
In a public address, Khamenei declared, "avenging his blood is our duty," emphasizing that the assassination occurred on Iranian soil.
On Wednesday, July 31, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a directive for an attack on Israel following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, a prominent Hamas leader. Haniyeh was killed in Iran during his visit to attend the inauguration of the new president, Masoud Pezeshkian. This event has escalated tensions between Iran and Israel, leading to significant geopolitical implications.
In his public address, Khamenei declared, “avenging his blood is our duty,” emphasizing that the assassination occurred on Iranian soil and asserting the nation’s right to retaliate. This sentiment was echoed by other Iranian officials, including President Pezeshkian, who reaffirmed Iran’s resolve to defend its sovereignty against perceived violations.
Emergency Meeting and Accusations
According to The New York Times, the directive for the attack on Israel was issued during an emergency meeting of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council on Wednesday morning, shortly after the announcement of Haniyeh’s death. The Iranian government has accused Israel of orchestrating the assassination, although Israel has neither confirmed nor denied these allegations.
The report highlights Israel’s history of targeting adversaries, including Iranian nuclear scientists and military leaders, in various locations worldwide. This context underscores the ongoing and complex nature of the conflict between the two nations.
Background and Recent Escalations
Over the past ten months of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Iran has sought to avoid a full-scale war while exerting pressure on Israel through various strategies. In April, Iran launched a significant attack on Israel, deploying hundreds of missiles and drones in retaliation for an Israeli strike on Iran’s embassy compound in Damascus, Syria, which resulted in the deaths of several Iranian military commanders.
Despite the scale of the attack on Israel, The New York Times reported that it caused minimal damage, as most of the missiles and drones were intercepted by Israel and its allies. This episode illustrates the ongoing volatility and the high stakes involved in the Iran-Israel conflict, reflecting the broader regional tensions and strategic calculations.
The directive for an attack on Israel by Khamenei and the subsequent developments mark a significant escalation in the already tense relations between the two nations, emphasizing the potential for further conflict in the region.
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