🌍 This article is also available in UK
- July 31, 2024
- 11:06 pm
- Middle East
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered an attack on Israel in retaliation for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, three Iranian officials have said. NYT.
Khamenei gave the order at an emergency meeting of Iran's Supreme National Security Council early Wednesday after Haniyeh's killing was announced. Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of the killing, but Israel has neither confirmed nor denied the allegations.
The Iranian military is considering a joint attack using drones and missiles on military targets in the Tel Aviv and Haifa area, while avoiding civilian targets. The option of a joint strike with allied forces in Yemen, Syria and Iraq is also being discussed. Khamenei has instructed the military leadership to develop plans for attack and defense in the event of a possible widening of the war and attacks by Israel or the United States.
Haniyeh’s killing has shocked Iranian authorities, who see it as a crossing of “red lines” and a failure to ensure the country’s security. Many Iranian government supporters have expressed frustration at the failure to prevent the killing, given that few security officials knew of Haniyeh’s whereabouts. Analysts say Iran sees the retaliatory measures as necessary both to avenge Haniyeh’s murder and to prevent the assassination of other influential opponents of Israel.
Read us in channels Israel News Nikk.Agency
🌍 This article is also available in UK