Iran’s Supreme Leader Hands Down Order To Strike Israel
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has given the order to strike Israel, reports the New York Times, citing three Iranian sources close to the matter.
According to the report, Khamenei authorized plans for a counterattack during a meeting this week with his Supreme National Security Council, following a comprehensive review of damage sustained in last week’s Israeli strikes on Tehran’s military infrastructure.
The sources indicate that Iran’s response will focus specifically on dozens of military targets within Israel. Axios reports, citing Israeli intelligence, that a retaliatory attack may occur before the US presidential election on November 5. It could also be carried out from Iraqi territory and with help from Iran’s terror proxies in the region.
On Thursday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps deputy commander Ali Fadavi warned Israel that its military response will be “definite.”
“Iran’s response to the Zionist aggression is definite,” warned Gen. Ali Fadavi. “We have never left an aggression unanswered in 40 years. We are capable of destroying all that the Zionists possess with one operation.”
However, military analysts note that Iran may be at a tactical disadvantage following last week’s strikes. While Khamenei has attempted to minimize the public perception of Israel’s attack impact, the private assessment paints a more serious picture.
Extensive damage to Iran’s missile production plants and defense systems has been reported, including Tehran’s secretive Parchin base.
In addition, Israel has bolstered its defenses since the regime’s last attack, including the delivery of an American Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.
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