In response to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, a prominent leader of Hamas, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has directed a military strike against Israel.
The order was given following an urgent meeting of the Supreme National Security Council, convened shortly after the killing was announced.
Haniyeh, who was in Tehran for the inauguration of Iran’s new president, was reportedly assassinated by unidentified attackers.
Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of orchestrating the assassination, though Israel has not confirmed or denied its involvement.
The country is currently engaged in a conflict with Hamas in Gaza and has a history of targeted actions against adversaries abroad, including Iranian nuclear scientists and military officials.
Over the past ten months, Iran has sought to pressure Israel through increased attacks by regional allies and proxy forces, while carefully avoiding full-scale warfare.
In April, Iran launched an attack on Israel involving numerous missiles and drones in retaliation for an Israeli strike in Damascus that killed several Iranian military figures.
