Iran plans revenge against Israel but won't affect negotiations

Iran says it will severely punish Israel but doesn't want to harm potential ceasefire.

According to comprehensive news reports on August 10, Ali Fadavi, the deputy commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said that Iran will carry out the order of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and "severely punish" Israel for the assassination of Hamas political bureau leader Ismail Haniyeh. The White House of the United States responded by saying that it will "take seriously" the relevant remarks and invest resources to protect Israel.

Hamas confirmed on July 31 that its political bureau leader Haniyeh was attacked and killed in the early hours of the day in the Iranian capital Tehran. Hamas said the assassination was carried out by Israel and was a "cowardly act", and Hamas would retaliate. Israel refused to respond to this. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a statement saying that the assassination of Haniyeh in Iran makes it Iran's "responsibility" to revenge and Iran will "severely punish" Israel.

According to the Iranian state news agency, Iran's delegation to the United Nations said on August 9 that "the recent terrorist act by the Israeli regime (assassination of Haniyeh) violated our national security and sovereignty. We have the right to legitimate self-defense, which has nothing to do with the Gaza ceasefire". The delegation added, "However, we hope that the timing and manner of our response is appropriate and will not harm the potential ceasefire". The delegation also said, "Our top priority is to achieve a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, and we will also recognize any agreement accepted by Hamas".

Qatar, Egypt and the United States recently issued a joint statement calling on Israel and Hamas to resume negotiations on August 15. The office of the Israeli prime minister confirmed on August 9 that Israeli representatives will participate in the negotiations.