TEHRAN: Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has issued directives Iran to strike Israel directly, in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, New York Times reported, quoting three Iranian officials, briefed on the order, including two personnel of the Revolutionary Guards.
The Iranian leader gave the order at an emergency meeting of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council on Wednesday morning, shortly following Iranian officials announced that Ismail Haniyeh had been assassinated in Tehran.
Hamas and Iran have accused Israel of the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh. Israel has a long history of killing Hamas leaders, Iranian nuclear scientists and military commanders, the New York Times reported.
In his public statement regarding Ismail Haniyeh’s death, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei signaled that Tehran would retaliate directly, saying, “we see avenging his blood our duty,” as it occurred on the territory of Iran. He added Israel had set the stage for receiving “a severe punishment,” the US newspaper reported.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in an attack in the Iranian capital, Tehran. Iranian media cited sources as saying that the funeral of Haniyeh will be held in Doha on Friday. On the other hand, Hamas also confirmed in a statement that an “official and public” funeral ceremony would be held in Tehran on Thursday before his body is shifted to Doha for a Friday burial of “the martyr leader of the movement”.
Khaled Meshaal, a prominent figure in Hamas, is tipped to assume the leadership role of the Palestinian resistance movement after the assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran. Meshaal, a veteran leader known for his long-standing role in the Palestinian cause, has been recognized for his leadership and strategic role within the movement, particularly since a failed assassination attempt by Israel in 1997.
Hamas sources also confirmed that Khaled Meshaal is likely to replace Haniyeh, who was martyred in an Israeli airstrike in Tehran.
