Red-faced over breach, Khamenei says revenge now a 'duty' for Iran

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel had provided the grounds for "harsh punishment for itself" and it was Tehran's duty to avenge Ismail Haniyeh's death. The death of the Hamas political leader in Iran raises questions about the Islamic Republic's ability to secure the safety of its most senior state officials and allies - and Israel's ability to target them.

Given Haniyeh was on Iranian soil and had hours earlier been shown live on state TV applauding President Masoud Pezeshkian, his assassination is deeply embarrassing for Iran's intelligence services, and in particular Khamenei and the IRGC. As Haniyeh's host, Iran has a "duty to seek vengeance" for his death, Khamenei said in a statement. "Israel's murderous and terrorist Zionist regime should expect a severe punishment".


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