ALBAWABA- The New York Times, citing three informed Iranian officials, reports that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has directed the Revolutionary Guard and military to prepare for both attack and defense strategies in response to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas' political bureau, in Tehran.
Netanyahu claims Israel's "crushing blows" against Iran’s agents amid recent assassinationsAccording to the sources, Khamenei issued these orders during an emergency meeting of the Supreme National Security Council.
The Iranian leadership is reportedly considering a range of retaliatory measures, including drone and missile strikes on military targets near Tel Aviv and Haifa.
There are discussions about a coordinated assault involving Iran, Yemen, Syria, and Iraq to maximize impact.
In the United States, ABC and Axios report concerns among American officials that the assassination of Haniyeh could undermine efforts to negotiate a ceasefire and escalate regional tensions.
The Biden administration is wary that these events might provoke harsher responses from Iran and Hezbollah.
Israeli authorities anticipate a response within days but remain uncertain about its specifics. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed responsibility for the assassinations of Haniyeh and senior Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukr, stating that the coming days will be challenging.
Following these developments, several foreign airlines, including those from the USA and Britain, have canceled flights to Israel.
