Khamenei vows ‘divine wrath’ if Iran backs down from striking Israel after Hamas leader’s assassination

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stark warning on 14 August, declaring that any hesitation in retaliating against Israel for the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh would invite “divine wrath.” This statement, delivered amidst rising tensions between Iran and Israel, underscores the seriousness with which Tehran views the assassination that occurred last month in Tehran, and signals Iran’s intention to respond decisively.

Israel’s assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran

The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, a key Hamas leader, in Tehran has not only intensified the already volatile relations between Iran and Israel but has also drawn sharp international scrutiny. Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the inauguration of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, when he was killed by what Iranian officials have attributed to an Israeli strike. The killing took place in the early hours of 31 July, just hours after Haniyeh met with Khamenei, making it a direct affront to Iran’s sovereignty.

Khamenei warns that any hesitation in retaliating against Israel for Hamas leader’s assassination will invite ‘divine wrath.’ Is conflict escalation imminent?

Khamenei’s vow of retaliation

Khamenei, in an emergency meeting of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, authorized strikes on Israel, describing it as a necessary response to an act of war. He stated that Israel had “prepared a harsh punishment for itself” by committing what he termed a cowardly and unlawful act. Khamenei’s rhetoric points to the use of religious and nationalistic sentiments to justify what could be a significant escalation in hostilities​.

The Supreme Leader has repeatedly emphasized that any retreat—be it military, political, or economic—would not only be a strategic error but would also bring down “divine wrath” as per the Holy Quran. Khamenei’s stance reflects Iran’s broader strategy of using psychological and religious narratives to bolster domestic support for its foreign policy decisions​.

International reaction and implications

The international community, particularly the United States and its allies, has expressed concern over the potential for this incident to spark a broader conflict. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken denied any American involvement in the assassination, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a warning that Israel would respond to any aggression “on any front.” The assassination of Haniyeh and Iran’s subsequent threats have brought the Middle East to the brink of another major conflict, with the possibility of Iran invoking its “axis of resistance” network to retaliate.

A volatile future for Iran-Israel relations

Middle East experts suggest that Khamenei’s strong stance and the potential for Iranian retaliation could lead to an escalation that neither side can easily control. The assassination of a high-profile figure like Haniyeh in Tehran is seen as a significant provocation, one that challenges Iran’s influence and threatens to destabilize the region further. As tensions rise, the possibility of a direct confrontation between Iran and Israel looms large, with the potential for broader regional implications.