At an emergency UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting, Israel’s deputy representative to the UN, Jonathan Miller, condemned Iran as the world’s foremost “sponsor of terrorism” and the “engine of death and destruction” following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Miller called on the international community to hold Tehran accountable for its actions.
In a report by the New York Times, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei allegedly ordered a direct strike on Israel in retaliation for Haniyeh’s killing. The directive was reportedly issued during an emergency meeting of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council shortly after the assassination was announced.
Also Read: US Farm Agency to Distribute $2 Billion in Discrimination Payments to 43,000 Farmers
The officials cited in the report, including members of the Revolutionary Guard, stated that Khamenei instructed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Iranian Army to prepare both offensive and defensive plans in case the conflict escalates and Israel or the United States targets Iran.
While Israel has not officially commented on the incident, the situation has heightened tensions amid its ongoing conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Just hours before the assassination, an IDF strike in Beirut killed a top military commander of Hezbollah, another Iran-backed group. With Israel on high alert, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation, warning of “challenging days ahead” and pledging that Israel is “ready for every scenario” and will “exact a very heavy price for any aggression.”
Khamenei, who met with Haniyeh in Tehran shortly before his death, issued a statement through state media condemning Israel and vowing revenge. “With this action, the criminal and terrorist Zionist regime prepared the ground for harsh punishment for itself, and we consider it our duty to seek revenge for his blood as he was martyred in the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Khamenei said.
The Iranian officials mentioned that possible retaliatory actions being considered include a combined drone and missile assault on military targets around Tel Aviv and Haifa, with an emphasis on avoiding civilian casualties. Additionally, they are weighing the option of coordinating attacks with Iranian proxies in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq to maximize impact.
Key Points
- Israel’s UN representative Jonathan Miller called Iran the “engine of death and destruction” at a UNSC meeting.
- Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei allegedly ordered a direct strike on Israel in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
- Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu warned of challenging days ahead and promised retaliation for any aggression.
- Possible Iranian retaliatory actions include drone and missile assaults on Israeli military targets, coordinated with regional proxies.
