Iran's leader orders strike on Israel in response to Khaniye’s killing

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei ordered a strike against Israel in response to the assassination of Hamas Politburo leader Ismail Khaniya. 

This was reported by The New York Times (NYT), citing Iranian officials. It is noted that the corresponding decision was made during an emergency meeting of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran.     

Earlier, Hamas representative in Lebanon Mahmoud Tah said that responsibility for Khaniye’s defeat lies with Israel and the United States and that it was agreed upon with Washington. 

According to him, a strike on the leader of the movement could lead to a large-scale war in the Middle East region, and the United States must understand the degree of responsibility for such an escalation. 

The Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the White House National Security Council (NSC), John Kirby, said that the United States did not know in advance about Israeli plans to eliminate the head of the Ismail Khaniye in Tehran.