SAEDNEWS: The White House on Monday said US intelligence indicates it is increasingly likely Iran will respond to the Israelis' assassination of former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran this week.
According to SAEDNEWS, Israeli and US officials expressed concerns that Iran is significantly bolstering its missile and drone capabilities, echoing the preparations made prior to its retaliatory attack on Israel earlier this year. Despite this alarming assessment, they acknowledged uncertainty about the exact timing of any Iranian response.
White House spokesperson John Kirby commented during a press briefing that the Israeli regime believes there is an increasing likelihood that Iran will react to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, a prominent Palestinian leader, in Tehran. This tragic event unfolded on July 31 when Israeli forces targeted Haniyeh's residence, resulting in his martyrdom alongside one of his bodyguards, as confirmed by a statement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The IRGC issued a strong statement, declaring that the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh was "designed and implemented by the Zionist regime and supported by the criminal government of America." This underscores the deep-seated grievances Iran has regarding both Israeli actions and US support.
Iranian leaders have promised to respond decisively to this Israeli act of terror. Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, warned that by assassinating Haniyeh, the Israeli regime has laid the groundwork for severe consequences. High-ranking officials are united in their resolve, with Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, the political adviser to Khamenei, expressing on X (formerly Twitter) that preparations are underway to inflict significant punishment on those who only understand the language of force.
Shamkhani further elaborated on the motivations behind these violent acts, stating that the Israeli regime's actions—such as the killing of worshipers at the Al-Tabin school in Gaza and the assassination of Haniyeh—are driven by a desire for war and an attempt to undermine ceasefire negotiations. He emphasized that Iran's response would follow extensive legal, diplomatic, and media efforts, highlighting a multifaceted approach to addressing these provocations.
As tensions continue to escalate, it is clear that Iran is prepared to respond firmly to any aggression from the Israeli regime, ensuring that the principles of justice and retribution are upheld.
