According to a media source quoting three unnamed Iranian officials, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has passed orders to push for a direct attack against Israel after an assassination bid in Tehran against Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
The order followed an emergency session Wednesday of Iran's Supreme National Security Council after the announcement of Haniyeh's death. Two of those officials are with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, The New York Times noted.
Khamenei said on his website that Israel, by its action, had opened the path for serious punishment.
In two statements issued on Wednesday, the IRGC accused Israel of carrying out what it termed a "terrorist attack" that resulted in the death of Haniyeh and the other one of his bodyguards at their residence in Tehran. The IRGC even expressed their condolences, saying that Haniyeh, who was making visits to Iran repeatedly, now found himself in Tehran for the swearing-in of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The IRGC expressed that the attack violates the international laws and an appropriate, strong, and painful response would be given by Iran.
Further, condolences were issued through X social media to President Pezeshkian. He said Iran would protect its pride and sovereignty but in a manner such that the "terrorist occupiers" will not forget.
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