ALWAGHT- Iran will undoubtedly retaliate for the Israeli assassination of the Hamas chief in Tehran, with the timing left to its own discretion, a senior Army commander stated. He warned that the Zionist regime and its allies will be unable to defend against Iran’s unexpected response.
In an interview with China Media Group (CMG) during the 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, Deputy Chief of the Iranian Army for Coordination, declared that Iran will undoubtedly retaliate for the Israeli assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, with the timing determined at Iran’s discretion.
Referencing the retaliatory ‘True Promise Operation’ carried out on April 14 against Israeli military targets in response to Israel’s April 1 airstrike, which killed seven Iranian military commanders in Syria, Sayyari explained that the operation showcased Iran’s ability to strike the Zionist regime.
He highlighted that Israel, supported by the US, France, Germany, the UK, and Jordan, activated all air defense systems, including the Iron Dome, to defend against Iran’s retaliation. However, Sayyari questioned whether Israel and its allies could maintain such readiness to counter future surprise strikes, asserting that they could not.
The general emphasized that Iran will not reverse its decision to retaliate for Haniyeh’s assassination, despite numerous messages from Western governments and the US urging restraint. He stated that the response is inevitable but will be carried out with discretion at a time of Iran’s choosing.
Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli operation in Tehran on July 31 while attending the Iranian president’s swearing-in ceremony. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has vowed a severe response to avenge Haniyeh's death, calling it Iran’s duty to honor the Palestinian leader’s sacrifice.