Iran has dismissed calls from Arab diplomats for restraint in its anticipated retaliation against Israel following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which Iran attributes to Israel, according to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal.
Iran has indicated it is unconcerned about the potential for war in its response to the killing of Haniyeh, the report said quoting unnamed sources. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the assassination.
With tensions high, an Iranian attack on Israel is seen as imminent, as Iran has vowed to avenge Haniyeh’s death. There are concerns that this could trigger a broader conflict in the Middle East. Since Hamas’s attack on Israel last year, both Iran and Israel had avoided full-scale war, but this fragile understanding now seems to be breaking down.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran has communicated to Arab nations that it does not care if an attack on Israel leads to a wider war. Unlike a previous conflict in April, Iran is not revealing its plans this time, signaling a more aggressive stance. Back in April, after Israel killed top Iranian commanders in Damascus, Iran launched a direct attack, firing over 600 missiles, drones, and rockets at Israel.
