The New York Times: Khamenei ordered a direct strike on Israel...and urgent talks to prevent “revenge” for Haniyeh’s assassination

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued an order for Iran to strike Israel directly, in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, according to three Iranian officials familiar with the matter, according to the American newspaper “The New York Times.”

The three Iranian officials, including two members of the Revolutionary Guards, said Khamenei issued the order at an emergency meeting of Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Wednesday morning, shortly after Iran announced the killing of Mr. Haniyeh. The officials requested that their names not be published because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

On Wednesday morning, Hamas and Iran announced the assassination of Haniyeh in an Israeli air strike that targeted his residence in Tehran, the day after his participation in the inauguration ceremony of new President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The American newspaper, citing Iranian officials, explained that Khamenei issued his orders in an emergency meeting of the Supreme National Security Council.

They added that the leaders are considering launching an attack with drones and missiles on military targets in the vicinity of Tel Aviv and Haifa, and that among the options is a coordinated attack from Iran, Yemen, Syria, and Iraq to achieve maximum impact.

Iranian officials said - according to the newspaper - that Khamenei ordered the Revolutionary Guard and the army to prepare plans for attack and defense if the war expands, indicating that Iran will be careful to avoid striking civilian targets in any attack on Israel.

In addition, the Financial Times quoted a Western diplomat as saying that what he described as “everyone” is pressuring Tehran not to respond to the assassination of the head of the Political Bureau of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, as well as to contain the matter.

The newspaper also quoted unnamed officials that "the future of the conflict may depend on Iran's calculations more than Israel's calculations."

Talks to prevent revenge
Meanwhile, the Washington Post quoted a Pentagon official as saying that the United States mobilized 12 warships in the Middle East after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh and Fouad Shukr. The United States affirms its full support for what it describes as Israel's right to defend itself.

Source: Yemen Shabab Net + American press + agencies