Iran’s Supreme Leader Authorizes Direct Strikes Against Israel Following Hamas Leader’s Assassination

Iran’s Supreme Leader Orders Direct Action Against Israel

In a significant escalation of tensions in the region, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has reportedly issued a directive for Iran to launch direct strikes against Israel. This order comes on the heels of the assassination of Hamas’s leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran. Three Iranian officials, who were briefed on the situation, revealed that Khamenei communicated this command during an urgent meeting of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council on Wednesday morning, shortly after the news of Haniyeh’s death broke.

According to the officials, including two members of the Revolutionary Guards who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the information, the Iranian government attributes the assassination to Israeli operatives. While Israel is currently engaged in an intense conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, it has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in Haniyeh’s killing. Historically, Israel has conducted operations abroad that target adversaries, including Iranian nuclear scientists and military leaders.

Throughout nearly ten months of warfare in Gaza, Iran has sought to navigate a precarious balance. The Iranian leadership has intensified attacks by its regional allies and proxy forces, thereby applying pressure on Israel while simultaneously attempting to avoid an outright war with the nation. This strategy reflects Iran’s broader goal of exerting influence without crossing the threshold into full-scale conflict.

In a notable display of military capability, Iran executed its most substantial and overt attack on Israel in decades back in April. This involved the launch of hundreds of missiles and drones in retaliation for an Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Damascus, Syria, which resulted in the deaths of several Iranian military commanders. However, this formidable show of force was largely intercepted; the majority of the incoming projectiles were neutralized by Israeli defenses, leading to minimal damage.

For years, Iran has strategically relied on various militias across the Middle East to apply pressure on both Israel and the United States. This approach enables Iran to exert its influence while minimizing the risks associated with direct military confrontation.

Credit: Arash Khamooshi for The New York Times