Tensions between Israel and Iran are now at an all-time high.
Hours after Hamas’ leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was assassinated by in Tehran on Wednesday, The New York Times reported that Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered a ‘direct’ attack on Israel.
Three Iranian officials confirmed the situation, according to the report.
According to Fox News, The White House has been unable to independently verify Haniyeh’s death as of Wednesday afternoon.
But Iran is placing the blame on the Israel Defense Forces. Israel launched a strike on Beirut, Lebanon, on Tuesday, but has neither claimed responsibility nor denied killing Haniyeh.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued the following on his English-language X account on Wednesday.
“The criminal, terrorist Zionist regime martyred our dear guest in our territory and has caused our grief, but it has also prepared the ground for a severe punishment.”
“Martyr Haniyeh was willing to sacrifice his honorable life in this dignified battle for many years. He was prepared for martyrdom and had sacrificed his children and loved ones on this path.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his country is in a fight “against Iran’s axis of evil.”
“This is an existential war against a stranglehold of terrorist armies and missiles that Iran would like to tighten around our neck,” Netanyahu said, later adding that Israel has heard “threats from all sides,” after Israel’s recent strike against Beirut.
“We are prepared for any scenario, and we will stand united and determined against any threat,” the leader said. “Israel will exact a very heavy price for aggression against us from whatever quarter.”
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his country is in a fight “against Iran’s axis of evil.”
“This is an existential war against a stranglehold of terrorist armies and missiles that Iran would like to tighten around our neck,” Netanyahu said, later adding that Israel has heard “threats from all sides,” after Israel’s recent strike against Beirut.
“We are prepared for any scenario, and we will stand united and determined against any threat,” the leader said. “Israel will exact a very heavy price for aggression against us from whatever quarter.”