Axios reported on Thursday evening that a U.S. official stated U.S. intelligence has received clear indications of Iran's intention to respond to the assassination of the political bureau chief of Hamas, Ismail Haniya, in Tehran. The report also noted that U.S. officials believe that the Iranians and their proxies may take days to coordinate and prepare an attack on Israel. An Israeli official told Axios that Israeli intelligence expects Iran to launch a large-scale missile attack on Israel.
The region faces the risk of escalating conflict between Israel, Iran, and its allies following Haniya's assassination in Tehran yesterday and the killing of a senior military commander from Hezbollah on Tuesday in an Israeli strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut. Two sources, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, indicated that representatives from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, as well as the Houthi movement from Yemen, Hezbollah, and Iraqi armed factions, will attend a meeting in Tehran.
A senior Iranian official directly familiar with the meeting stated, “Iran and the members of the resistance axis will conduct a comprehensive evaluation after the meeting in Tehran to find the best and most effective ways to respond to the Zionist regime (Israel).” Another Iranian official mentioned that the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps will attend the meeting.
Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Mohammad Bagheri told state television today, “Iran and the resistance axis are currently considering how to respond. This will certainly happen, and the Zionist regime (Israel) will undoubtedly regret it.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel is on high alert amid increasing expectations that Iran or its allies will respond to the deaths of senior leaders from Hezbollah and Hamas this week. He added, according to statements published by his office following a visit to the Home Front Command, “Israel is well-prepared for any scenario for defense or attack. We will hold accountable anyone who commits any act of aggression against us, whoever they may be, and they will pay a heavy price.”
An Israeli government spokesperson also mentioned that Tel Aviv is ready for any scenario and will deal with any threats, stating, “Anyone who attacks us will pay the price.” He alleged that Hamas continues to reject any agreements and changes to terms while presenting unreasonable demands following the assassination of Haniya.
Iran and Hamas accused Israel of carrying out the strike that killed Haniya yesterday, following his attendance at the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian president. However, Israeli officials did not claim responsibility for the attack, which sparked threats of retaliation against Israel and heightened fears that the conflict in Gaza may escalate into a broader regional conflict.
Israeli Air Force Commander Tomer Bar warned at a military graduation ceremony late Wednesday that Israel would act against any party planning to harm its citizens. Bar stated, “We are strongly prepared regarding defense. Hundreds of air defense soldiers are deployed alongside air surveillance teams throughout the country with the best systems, ready to carry out their missions.”
Haniya and the leader of Islamic Jihad, Ziad al-Nakhala, along with senior representatives from the Iran-aligned Houthi movement and Hezbollah, attended the inauguration of the new Iranian president in Tehran on Tuesday. Sources familiar with Hezbollah's thoughts revealed that Deputy Secretary-General Naeem Qassem and Lebanese parliament member Hassan Fadlallah were in Iran to attend the inauguration and remained there for the funeral and the meeting.
In the evening, Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated, “There are no new instructions for the home front, and we are prepared for defense and attack,” adding that “our international partners will increase their forces in the region to help us defend ourselves.”
