America News Agency

Iran said its supreme leader decided to fire dozens of missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israel's invasion of Lebanon and the recent killings of leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas, the two main groups in Iran's so-called resistance axis.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Ali Khamenei decided with the support of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) and the Iranian defence ministry.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian hailed the attack as a "firm response to the Zionist regime's aggression", adding: "Let Netanyahu know that Iran is not a belligerent, but stands firm against any threat... Do not engage in a conflict with Iran."

The Iranian mission to the UN said the actions were a "legal, rational and legitimate response to the Zionist regime's terrorist attacks targeting Iranian citizens and interests and violating Iran's national sovereignty."

It added that if Israel "dares to respond or take further malicious actions, a crushing response will follow."

Regional states and supporters of the Zionists were advised to break with the regime.

Iranian officials added that a further wave of ballistic missiles was ready and that the launch of the attacks had been notified to Western powers in advance.

Iran’s high-stakes decision to launch ballistic missiles against Israel reflects a growing consensus among Iranian elites that its decision not to retaliate militarily after Haniyeh’s killing in Tehran in July was a strategic mistake.

Hardliners say the restraint gave Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the green light to carry out more assassinations of “resistance leaders.”

Current Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said he did not respond to Haniyeh’s death because he had received assurances that Israel was on track to sign a ceasefire deal within a week or two.

No such deal materialized, and Pezeshkian felt betrayed.