Iran Promises Retaliation After Ismail Haniyeh’s Assassination

Iran’s Vow of Retaliation Following Haniyeh’s Death

In a bold declaration, Iran has promised to respond with “power and decisiveness” to the recent killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the top political leader of Hamas, attributing the blame squarely to Israel. Haniyeh’s death, resulting from an explosion in Tehran last week, has triggered concerns about a significant retaliatory strike and the potential for a broader conflict that could pit Israel and the United States against Iran and its allied militant groups throughout the Middle East.

Nasser Kanaani, the spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, emphasized that Iran possesses an “intrinsic right” to ensure its security and to retaliate against aggressors. He stated that Iran “will definitely take serious, deterrent actions” while asserting that these actions would align with international law and the right to self-defense. However, he also indicated that Iran is not seeking to escalate tensions in the region further.

In a related development, General Hossein Salami, the head of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, issued a stark warning to Israel, suggesting that the latter is “digging its own grave” with its operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Salami hinted at suspicions regarding Israel’s involvement in Haniyeh’s assassination. He remarked, “When they receive a blow, they will notice that they are making mistakes. They are making mistakes all the time.” His comments were made during a speech at the Day of the Journalists event, where he asserted, “They will see the result of their mistake. They will see when, how, and where they will get their response.”

A prominent banner in Tehran depicted the late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh joining hands with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, symbolizing the alliance between the two entities. Adding to the tension, a representative from Hamas in Iran claimed that Haniyeh was killed when a building he was staying in was struck by a rocket or missile. Khaled Qaddoumi, speaking on Iranian state television, reported that he heard the attack take place but refuted rumors that a bomb had been planted in Haniyeh’s room.

Fear of a Widening Conflict

The situation further escalated as the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah announced a drone attack on northern Israel early Monday, which resulted in injuries to two Israeli soldiers, according to the Israeli military. This surge in violence heightens fears of an expanding regional war, particularly in the wake of the killings of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran and a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon just days earlier.

Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, responded to the growing tensions by stating that the military is ready for a “swift transition to offense,” as the nation braces for a potential Iranian counterattack following the assassination of Hamas’ political leader in Tehran. During a briefing with Air Force officials on Monday, Gallant remarked, “We must be prepared for anything – including a swift transition to offense.”

Meanwhile, in Greece, heightened concerns have surfaced regarding the possibility of Iran or Iranian-backed terrorists targeting Israeli interests within the country. This comes after Greece’s National Intelligence Service received a warning from foreign security services about potential threats.