Iraqchi: Iran's Response to Haniyeh's Killing Will Be 'Certain'

Twenty-six days after the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's threat for blood vengeance, Abbas Iraqchi, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic, claimed in a phone call with his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani that Iran's response to Haniyeh's death would be 'certain, precise, and calculated.' Meanwhile, Ali Mohammad Naeini, spokesman for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, stated last week regarding the Islamic Republic's 'response' to Haniyeh's killing that 'time is on our side, and the waiting period for this response may be prolonged.' Antonio Tajani, in a 'long' phone call with Iraqchi, urged him to facilitate ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas by de-escalating tensions in Lebanon and the Red Sea. Iraqchi's threats against Israel come as a U.S. State Department spokesperson stated last Thursday that the United States still considers the Iranian government a 'foe' and a 'supporter of terrorism.' This official reiterated that the Biden administration's judgment regarding Iran's leadership is based on 'actions' rather than their statements. He emphasized that the U.S. continues to view the Islamic Republic of Iran as a 'foe' and 'supporter of terrorism,' and nothing has changed in this regard. He stressed that the U.S., in close coordination with its allies and partners, is using all available tools for 'deterrence,' 'confrontation,' and 'disruption' of various destabilizing and problematic behaviors of the Iranian government. Following the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7 last year, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and over 250 hostages, Israel began its assault on Gaza aimed at destroying this Iran-backed group and freeing the hostages. This attack was supported and encouraged by Iranian officials. Additionally, Hezbollah, another group backed by Iran, began sporadic rocket and drone attacks on northern Israel. The continuation of these cross-border attacks by Hezbollah has led to the deaths of over 400 members of this group, including some of its senior commanders, due to retaliatory Israeli strikes. Tensions from these conflicts have significantly escalated since August 6, following a deadly rocket attack by Hezbollah on northern Israel that resulted in the deaths of 12 children and teenagers. In response to this deadly attack, Israel targeted Foad Shukr, Hezbollah's highest military commander, in Beirut on August 9. Just hours later, on the morning of August 10, Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, was targeted in a deadly attack in Tehran, which the Islamic Republic has attributed to Israel despite its 'neither confirm nor deny' stance. The Islamic Republic and Hezbollah have warned that they will not leave these deadly attacks unanswered. In contrast, Israeli officials have promised that anyone who attacks their country will pay a heavy price. During this time, the U.S. and its allies have simultaneously intensified their diplomatic efforts to establish a ceasefire in Gaza and prevent the escalation of conflicts into a full-scale regional war, warning the Iranian government and its proxies, including Hezbollah, that they will support Israel against the Islamic Republic and its terrorist proxies. An American official stated that the 'ceasefire negotiations' in Cairo have been 'unproductive' but 'constructive' and continue in smaller groups. The escalation of tensions in the Middle East has led the U.S. Secretary of Defense to extend the presence of two aircraft carrier strike groups in the region. An Israeli diplomat noted that due to the 'very strong military posture of the United States,' the Iranian government has postponed its attack on Israel. The Republican leader in the U.S. Senate described Hezbollah as the 'most malignant form of cancer' of Iranian influence in the Middle East. Jordanian airlines have canceled their flights to Beirut. Netanyahu warned about a 'preemptive strike' against Hezbollah, stating that Nasrallah and Khamenei should know this is another step towards changing the situation. The Israeli army thwarted Hezbollah's attempt to launch 'hundreds of rockets and drones at the center and north' of the country. Despite today's attacks by Hezbollah, the heads of Mossad and Shin Bet are heading to Cairo for negotiations. The Israeli army stated it has responded to Hezbollah's rocket attacks; the White House noted that the President is closely monitoring events in Israel and Lebanon. Efforts are underway to prevent further escalation in the region, with the Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff traveling to the Middle East.