IRGC on Possible Attack on Israel: The Waiting Period for Iran's Response May Be Lengthy

Twenty days after the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's threat for retribution, the spokesperson of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spoke of a "serious determination" for a "response" from the Islamic Republic, although he stated that this response "may not be a repetition of past operations." According to Tasnim, a media outlet close to the IRGC, on Tuesday, August 30, Ali Mohammad Naeini, the spokesperson for the IRGC, referred to the impending attack by the Islamic Republic on Israel, claiming that "time is on our side, and the waiting period for this response may be lengthy" and "the response from [the Islamic Republic] Iran may not be a repetition of past operations." Previously, a senior American official warned that if the Islamic Republic attacks Israel in response to the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, it would face catastrophic consequences, and this action could halt the progress made towards establishing a ceasefire in Gaza. The threat of an attack on Israel by the IRGC comes as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting the region to negotiate a ceasefire across the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages held by Hamas. Additionally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned the Islamic Republic of Iran, recognized as the main supporter of "terrorist groups" in the region, as well as Hezbollah, that Israel is "prepared for any threat, both in defense and attack." Netanyahu stated, "We are determined to defend ourselves and also determined to impose a heavy cost on any enemy that dares to attack us." Furthermore, ambassadors from the U.S., U.K., and Germany emphasized the importance of quickly reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, stating that there may not be another opportunity to free hostages still in Gaza. In this context, the British ambassador warned the Islamic Republic that if it harms efforts to reach an agreement, it will "pay the price." After the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on the morning of Wednesday, July 31, and the killing of a senior Hezbollah commander on Tuesday in an Israeli attack on the outskirts of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, the risk of escalating conflict between Israel, the Islamic Republic, and its proxy forces in the region has increased. Earlier, the New York Times reported, citing "three Iranian officials," that Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, had ordered a "direct attack on Israel" in response to the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of the terrorist group Hamas in Tehran. The ongoing war in the Gaza Strip began with a terrorist attack by Hamas and its allies on southern Israel on October 7 of last year, when this Islamist group, supported by the Islamic Republic, killed over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in attacks on Israeli border areas and took about 250 people as hostages to Gaza. Approximately 100 of the hostages were exchanged during a temporary ceasefire in late fall last year for Palestinian prisoners. Israel believes that currently, fewer than 115 hostages are held by Hamas, and it is unclear how many of them are still alive. Israel points its finger at the Islamic Republic and Hezbollah, suspecting their involvement in the Tel Aviv bombing. Airstrikes on Hezbollah's weapons depots in northeastern Lebanon have been confirmed by the Israeli army. The Israeli prosecution has charged a citizen of this country with connections to an agent of the Islamic Republic. Lufthansa has extended its suspension of flights to Tehran. The Israeli Defense Minister praised his country's pilots, stating, "We have the ability to attack anywhere." U.S. President Joe Biden warned all parties in the Middle East that no one should undermine the "growing peace process in Gaza."