In a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, has issued a direct order for a military strike on Israel.
This aggressive move comes as retaliation for the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh by Israel in Tehran.
According to reports from the New York Times, which cited three Iranian officials including two from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, the decision was made during an emergency session of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council on Wednesday.
The order responds to the killing of Haniyeh, which Iran has publicly promised to avenge, stating that such an act cannot go unchallenged.
The specifics of the planned military action remain uncertain, with Iranian officials considering various forms of attack, including missile and drone strikes targeted at key military sites in Israeli cities such as Tel Aviv and Haifa.
Additionally, there is talk of a coordinated assault involving Iranian forces along with allies in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq, aiming to maximize the impact while avoiding civilian areas to prevent further escalation.
The Iranian leadership is also preparing for potential repercussions, with Khamenei instructing the armed forces to brace for responses from Israel and possibly the United States, suggesting anticipation of a broader conflict.
This proposed military action mirrors Iran’s response in April to the assassination of an IRGC commander in Damascus, where Iran launched missiles directly at Israel. Although most were intercepted, it marked a significant shift in Iran’s engagement strategy.
Complicating the regional dynamics further, Hezbollah, Iran’s ally in Lebanon, is also reportedly planning retaliatory measures for the killing of their senior commander, Fuad Shukr, in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut.
The coordination between Iran and Hezbollah could pose a significant challenge to Israel’s highly regarded missile defense systems.
The escalating tensions have prompted international concern, with several countries advising citizens to leave Lebanon and some U.S. carriers canceling flights to Israel, indicating the serious nature of the looming threat.
As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely, with hopes for a de-escalation of what could become a major regional conflict.