Iran is preparing a calculated response to what it claims was an Israeli assassination of Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh, while aiming to avoid further destabilizing the region, according to Iranian expert Hassan Beheshtipour. Speaking to Xinhua, Beheshtipour, an international affairs analyst based in Tehran, described Iran’s approach as “well-managed,” emphasizing that escalating the crisis is neither in Iran’s interest nor beneficial for resistance groups.
Beheshtipour cited Iran’s previous strategic responses, such as its measured retaliation to an Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria earlier this year, as evidence of its controlled approach to regional tensions.
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Haniyeh, who had been invited to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, was reportedly killed alongside his bodyguard in Tehran early Wednesday. The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps has accused Israel of orchestrating the “terrorist attack” and has vowed to deliver a “harsh and painful response.”
In response to the incident, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stated that Israel has set the stage for a severe reprisal.
The alleged assassination of Haniyeh follows Israel’s claim that a recent strike in Beirut killed Fouad Shokor, a senior Hezbollah military commander. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Israel is prepared to use overwhelming force in response to any retaliation, asserting that the country is ready for “any scenario” and will impose a “very heavy price” for any aggression from any front.
