Iran to Choose Its Response to Hamas Leader's Assassination Independently of Regional Allies

The Iranian authorities will decide how to respond to Israel regarding the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh independently of other anti-Israel forces in the region, announced the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Mohammad Baqeri. His comments were quoted by the Tasnim agency.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will determine its own course of revenge, while the Resistance axis operates separately and independently in this domain, as we witnessed yesterday,” he stated.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi promised his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani during a phone conversation that there would be an “immediate and accurately calculated response” to Haniyeh’s death.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani expressed his view that the strategic balance of power in the region has shifted, and Israel has lost its ability to contain threats. “Despite the comprehensive support from states like the U.S., Israel was unable to predict the time and place of limited and controlled operations by the resistance forces,” Kanaani said.

Previously, Israel had launched a large-scale preemptive strike on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. Hezbollah announced the launch of 320 rockets and numerous drones towards Israel.