Iran blames Israel for Ismail Haniyeh’s death.
New Delhi:
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned against any form of withdrawal or compromise, invoking the concept of “divine wrath.” This comes in the wake of rising tensions between Iran and Israel following the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed last month during an official visit to Tehran.
Khamenei’s comments condemned what he described as “enemy psychological warfare” aimed at pressuring Iran to reconsider any plans for retaliation against Israel. The 86-year-old said any withdrawal, whether military, political or economic, would invite severe divine punishment.
Haniyeh’s death, which Tehran attributes to Israeli intelligence, has since left Iran in a precarious position as the country considers the timing and nature of its response.
“Governments that give in to the demands of today’s dominant powers, regardless of the size or strength of their country, can defy these pressures if they leverage the strength of their people and accurately assess the true capabilities of their opponents,” Khamenei said . saidas quoted by Iran International.
The ayatollah also criticized the long-standing tendency to exaggerate the power of enemies, citing historical examples of American, British and Israeli attempts to undermine Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Despite the heated rhetoric, Iran has refrained from immediate retaliation, a move seen by some analysts as a strategic pause. However, Iranian officials have rejected Western calls for restraint, with the Foreign Ministry criticizing Western countries for their alleged double standards. Iran has accused these countries of turning a blind eye to what he described as Israel’s “genocidal” actions in Gaza, while expecting Iran to relinquish its right to retaliate for Haniyeh’s killing.
Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has publicly aligned himself with Khamenei’s tough stance, although reports suggest he may have privately expressed concerns about the potential consequences of further escalation.
Israel has made it clear that any direct aggression from Tehran will be met with a strong response. Israeli officials have reportedly warned both American and European countries that an Iranian attack on Israeli territory would trigger swift and decisive Israeli retaliation.
