2024-08-01 16:49:23
The New York Times (NYT) and other sources reported that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei issued an order on the 31st of last month (local time) to “attack Israel directly.” On the same day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also hinted at the possibility of an all-out war with Iran, saying, “Difficult days lie ahead.” With the death of Ismail Haniya, the political director of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, in an Israeli attack in the Iranian capital of Tehran, a “strong” standoff between Iran and Israel is becoming a reality.
According to the New York Times and others, Khamenei convened a National Security Council meeting that day and ordered, “Not only should we attack Israel directly, but we should also prepare a defense plan in case Israel or the United States attacks Iran.” There is a possibility that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps will attack Tel Aviv, the economic center of Israel, or Israeli military facilities with missiles or drones. There is also the possibility that pro-Iranian Shiite armed groups in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen could attack Israel.
Khamenei also personally presided over Haniya’s funeral, which will be held in Tehran on the 1st. Haniya’s body will be transported to Doha, Qatar, where he recently stayed and where Hamas’ political office is located, on the 2nd.
Iran has tried to avoid a full-scale war with Israel since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out in October last year. However, it is difficult for Iran to ignore the fact that it failed to prevent an Israeli attack the day after the inauguration of the new president in Tehran. The New York Times predicted that Iran will respond in some way. When Iran’s consulate general in Syria was attacked by Israel in April this year, it launched about 300 missiles and drones toward Israel. However, Iran leaked its attack plan in advance to avoid a full-scale war, and Israel was able to intercept more than 90% of Iran’s missiles and drones.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a national address that day that “any attack on us will be met with a heavy price,” and that he would not sit idly by if Iran retaliates.
The international community urged both sides to exercise restraint to prevent an escalation. John Kirby, the US White House National Security Adviser, stepped forward to quell the situation, saying, “I do not believe an escalation in the Middle East is inevitable.” US Secretary of State Tony Blinken also discussed ways to prevent an escalation with Qatar, Jordan, and others. At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council (UNSC) held on the same day, each country called for a diplomatic solution from both sides.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr and Iranian military adviser Milad Bidi were confirmed dead after being attacked by Israel in southern Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, on the 30th of last month. The Israeli military also announced that Hamas commander Mohammed Deif was killed in an airstrike on the 13th of last month.
Cairo = Correspondent Kim Ki-yoon [email protected]
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2024-08-01 16:49:23