Iran is expected to directly attack Israel in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday morning, according to a New York Times report citing three sources.
The directive was issued at an emergency meeting of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, the report added.
Iran’s Supreme leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei had earlier in the day spoken of retribution in a post on X.
“Following this bitter, tragic event which has taken place within the borders of the Islamic Republic, it is our duty to take revenge,” he wrote.
Iran had already directly attacked Israel in April. Ninety-nine percent of its 300 drones and missiles were shot out of the sky by a coalition of five armies belonging to the US, Israel, Jordan, and the United Kingdom.
Haniyeh killed in Tehran
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had earlier in the day said, “If Israel is attacked, we certainly will help defend Israel.”
US National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby said, “We have and will maintain a level of readiness to preserve our national security interest in the region.
“It's not like we take a blind eye to what Iran is capable of doing and has shown they’re capability of doing in the region.
“It's not like we've demonstrated an unwillingness to defend Israel from threats in the region, including from Iran if that happens,” Kirby said.
“We maintain that capability and that readiness to do so now,” he added.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had on Wednesday night warned that there could be challenging days ahead and that Israel was prepared for any scenario as he spoke of Israel’s existential battle against Tehran.
Earlier in the day he held a security cabinet meeting and security consultations.