TEHRAN– Iran has completed “legal, diplomatic, and media” preparations to carry out “severe and crushing” retaliation against Israel for the assassination of former Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, declared Ali Shamkhani, a political advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and ex-secretary of Iran’s National Security Council. 

In a post published on X on Saturday, Shamkhani said the regime only understands the “language of force.” He pointed to Israel’s earlier attack on a school sheltering hundreds of civilians in Gaza, considering it a sign that Zionists are not serious about establishing calm in the war-torn enclave. “The only goal of Israel in killing worshippers at Tabeen School in Gaza, assassinating martyr Haniyeh in Iran is warmongering and derailing the truce talks."

Haniyeh was assassinated in a Tehran residence on July 31, hours after he attended the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has vowed to avenge the blood of “Iran’s guest”, a vow that appears to remain in place despite days of pleading by regional countries tasked by Washington to dissuade Iran from retaliation. 

The U.S. has also tried to temper Iran’s upcoming response through propaganda campaigns. In the past days, several Western media outlets have spread falsehoods about the circumstances of Haniyeh’s assassination, in an attempt to portray military action against the regime as unjustified. Some have meanwhile alleged a lack of unanimity among Iran officials on how the country should punish Israel. 

Another high-ranking and influential official to affirm Iran’s determination to respond to Israel on Saturday was the deputy commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC). 

“The Leader of Revolution’s orders will be carried out in the best way possible and this is Iran’s current duty,” Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi stated while speaking to Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen TV. He also addressed the appointment of Yahya Sinwar as Haniyeh’s successor, saying it “indicates that the course of Hamas’ resistance will continue till the end.” 

It is still not clear how Iran would be responding to Israel’s assassination of Haniyeh. Some believe Lebanon’s Hezbollah might also join Iran in retaliation, as the group has vowed to avenge the blood of one of its most senior military leaders, who was killed in a Beirut strike only hours before Haniyeh’s martyrdom. 

Pundits also believe it is not impossible for Yemen’s Ansarullah movement to open a third front against the regime concurrent with Iran and Lebanon. Sana’a has promised to respond to an Israeli strike that targeted Yemen’s al-Hudaydah port last month. 

Reports show that Israelis are gripped with anxiety and fear as they anticipate the Axis of Resistance’s retaliation. Israeli media says people have been spending their nights in shelters, with Zionist officials either opting to leave the occupied territories or stay in missile-proof facilities.