Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has directed Iran to launch a direct attack on Israel in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, reported ANI citing the New York Times report containing statements from three Iranian officials, including two Revolutionary Guards members.
Khamenei issued the directive during an emergency session of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council on Wednesday morning, soon after Iran reported the death of Haniyeh.
Haniyeh was assassinated around 2 a.m. local time, following a ceremony and a meeting with Khamenei. The killing has stunned Iranian officials, who have labeled it as a serious breach of red lines.
Both Iran and Hamas have pointed fingers at Israel for the assassination. However, Israel that is currently at war with Hamas in the Gaza strip has neither acknowledged nor denied any killing. Haniyeh was in Tehran for the inauguration of Iran’s new president.