Iran’s Supreme Leader Orders Retaliation Against Israel After Haniyeh’s Assassination
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has commanded a direct strike on Israel following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, according to three Iranian officials with knowledge of the situation.
Khamenei issued the order during an emergency session of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council on Wednesday morning, shortly after news emerged about Haniyeh’s death. The officials, who included two members of the Revolutionary Guards, requested anonymity due to their confidential roles.
Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of orchestrating the assassination. Israel, engaged in ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza, has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in Haniyeh’s death. Israel has a history of targeting adversaries abroad, including Iranian nuclear scientists and military leaders.
Throughout the Gaza conflict, Iran has sought to maintain a delicate balance by increasing pressure on Israel through its allies and proxy forces while avoiding a full-scale war. In April, Iran conducted its most significant attack on Israel in decades, launching hundreds of missiles and drones in response to an Israeli strike on its embassy in Damascus, which resulted in the deaths of several Iranian military commanders. Despite the scale of this retaliation, most of the incoming weapons were intercepted by Israel and its allies, resulting in limited damage.
The current situation raises questions about the extent and nature of Iran’s retaliation. Iranian military leaders are considering a combined attack involving drones and missiles targeting military sites near Tel Aviv and Haifa, with a focus on avoiding civilian areas. Another option being evaluated is a coordinated attack involving multiple fronts, including Yemen, Syria, and Iraq, to enhance the impact.
Khamenei, who has ultimate authority on state matters and serves as the commander-in-chief of Iran’s armed forces, has instructed military commanders from the Revolutionary Guards and the army to prepare for both offensive and defensive actions should the conflict escalate and Iran face strikes from Israel or the United States.
In his public statement about Haniyeh’s death, Khamenei vowed retaliation, stating, “We see avenging his blood as our duty,” and emphasized that the attack occurred on Iranian soil. He warned that Israel has set itself up for “severe punishment.”
Statements from other Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, the foreign ministry, the Revolutionary Guards, and Iran’s U.N. mission, have echoed the sentiment that Iran will retaliate and defend its sovereignty against violations.
The “axis of resistance,” comprising Iran and its allied forces such as Hamas, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and various militias in Iraq, had representatives in Tehran for Pezeshkian’s inauguration. Haniyeh was assassinated around 2 a.m. local time following the ceremony and a meeting with Khamenei.
The assassination has shocked Iranian officials and is seen as a significant security breach. The incident has been a blow to Iran, which has been struggling to prevent covert Israeli operations on its soil while projecting strength. The high-profile nature of the assassination, coupled with its occurrence at a secure Revolutionary Guards guesthouse during heightened security in Tehran, has intensified the embarrassment.
Many Iranian supporters and officials have criticized the security establishment for failing to prevent the assassination. Some have called for an immediate overhaul of security measures to protect senior officials, with Alireza Katebi Jahromi, a journalist and government supporter, stating, “Before seeking revenge, ensure the safety of the Supreme Leader.”
Iran views Haniyeh’s assassination not only as an Israeli attack on one of its adversaries but also as an affront to its security apparatus, suggesting that anyone in Iran could be targeted. Analysts believe that Iran feels compelled to retaliate to both avenge Haniyeh’s death and deter further Israeli actions against prominent figures such as Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah or Gen. Ismail Qaani, the commander of the Quds Forces overseeing militant groups outside Iran.
“Iran likely believes it has no choice but to retaliate to prevent further Israeli attacks, defend its sovereignty, and maintain its credibility with regional allies,” said Ali Vaez, the Iran director at the International Crisis Group.