Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued an order for Iran to 'strike Israel directly' following the killing of Hamas' political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran overnight, as reported by the New York Times.
The directive was given during an emergency meeting for Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Wednesday, according to three Iranian officials familiar with the order. These officials, who requested anonymity as they did not have the authority to speak publicly, provided this information to the New York Times.
The report did not specify how or when any potential strike would be carried out.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated that it was Iran's 'duty' to avenge Haniyeh's death, emphasizing that since he was killed inside Iran, Israel had 'paved the way for your harsh punishment.'
