Iranian Revolutrionary Guard commander vows 'holy wrath' against Israel

In response to the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, General Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, has vowed "severe revenge" against Israel.

In a condolence message to Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah for the death of Hezbollah military leader Fuad Shukr, Salami declared, "The enemies of the Islamic nation, especially the criminal and terrorist Zionist gang, should await holy wrath and inevitable, severe revenge," according to the semi-official Mehr News Agency.

Haniyeh is the first foreign figure to be assassinated on Iranian soil, following a series of targeted killings of Iranian scientists and military leaders since 2010, for which Israel has been the main suspected culprit, although the Jewish state has not claimed responsibility.

Senior Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, have vowed retaliation, with Khamenei stating, "It is our duty to avenge our dear guest," and President Masoud Pezeshkian promising that Israel would pay for the assassination.

Iranian military expert Morteza Mousavi told The New Arab's sister publication Al-Araby Al-Jadeed on Thursday that Iran's response to the Israeli attack "will be stronger than ever" and will involve all members of the resistance axis in the region, with direct Iranian participation.

Mousavi added that the anticipated operation would differ in intensity, armament, scope, and targets, and would not be confined to a specific timeframe.