Some members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are frustrated with the delayed response to the Hamas leader’s assassination, IranWire has learned.
An Iranian diplomat, who requested anonymity, said that some members of the elite Quds Force and supporters of Hezbollah in Lebanon are dissatisfied with the delay in taking revenge.
According to this diplomat, “Those frustrated by the delay in retaliating against Israel have sent a message to the Supreme Leader, indicating that the IRGC, Hezbollah, and their allies in Yemen and Iraq are ready to act.
“However, the leadership has responded that the time for revenge has not yet come, without providing further explanation.”
Ismail Haniyeh was killed on July 31 in Tehran after attending the inauguration ceremony of Masoud Pezeshkian, in an attack attributed to Israel.
In response, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said that Israel has paved the way for its “severe punishments” with the assassination.
He emphasized that seeking justice for Haniyeh, who was killed on Iranian soil, is “a duty of the Islamic Republic.”
The Iranian diplomat, speaking to IranWire, mentioned that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian “does not interfere in foreign policy, considering it beyond his powers.”
During the recent election debates, it was also noted that the president follows Khamenei’s views on foreign policy matters.
Pezeshkian appointed Mohammad Javad Zarif, the former foreign minister known for his efforts to de-escalate tensions during his tenure, as the president’s strategic deputy.
However, according to the IranWire source, “Zarif is refraining from making any official comments on foreign policy because he understands that his statements could backfire.”
Zarif’s policies have been heavily criticized by government hardliners, who view him as a diplomat overly willing to make concessions to the West.
Eight days have passed since the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh and Khamenei’s promise of “severe punishment.”
Speculation about a retaliatory attack by the Islamic Republic has been rife. However, some government supporters on social media argue that the delay in retaliation is part of the “harsh punishment.”
Meanwhile, many countries have urged restraint and calm.
The Iranian diplomat said, “Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and especially Russia have called on Iran to exercise restraint, warning that any attack on Israel could fall Iran into “in Netanyahu’s trap.”
He added that Russian diplomats have said that they are in contact with the Americans to control Israel’s actions.
The diplomat also said that Russia had previously sent a message to senior officials of the Islamic Republic through Sergei Shoigu, strongly condemning any military action by Iran and its allies against Israel that might result in civilian casualties.
Shoigu, who recently transitioned from defense minister to secretary of Russia’s security council, met with high-ranking Iranian officials in Tehran on Monday.
During these discussions, Iran reportedly pressed Moscow for the delivery of Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets.
Moscow’s aim appears to be preventing the outbreak of a wider Middle East conflict.
This diplomatic intervention occurs against a backdrop of escalating tensions between Iran and Israel.
The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas’s political office, in an attack attributed to Israel last week has further inflamed the situation.
Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, have since made repeated threats of “severe punishments” against Israel.
The region has witnessed a series of retaliatory actions, including Iran’s direct drone and missile attacks on Israel on April 13, in response to an earlier Israeli airstrike on the Iranian Consulate in Damascus.
Source » iranwire