Iran's response to Israel assassination of Hamas leader to be ‘calculated’: Fmr. IRGC chief

A former chief commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) warns of an extremely tough response to Israel, asserting that the Islamic Republic will “definitely” serve a “calculated” response to the Israeli regime’s assassination last month of Hamas’s political leader in the Iranian capital Tehran.

“We have investigated the possible repercussions. And we will not let [Israeli prime minister Benjamin] Netanyahu, who is sinking in a swamp, save him himself,” Mohsen Rezaei said in an interview with CNN on Tuesday.

“Iran will take action at the right time and in the right place. Based on Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, we have the right to defend ourselves,” he added.

“If there is no response, the Zionist regime’s acts of mischief will continue. Therefore, this (the retaliation) will take place,” added Rezaei, who currently serves as secretary of the Supreme Council for Economic Coordination of the Heads of Government Branches.

Asked about the quality of the reprisal, he said, “The answer to your question will become clear [only] after Iran’s action.”

Ismail Haniyeh, the Palestinian resistance movement’s former Political Bureau chief, was assassinated in a targeted killing operation in Tehran on July 31. He was in the Iranian capital to attend the inauguration ceremony of Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The Israeli regime has not confirmed or denied its role in the killing, but Iran has held it squarely responsible for the atrocity and vowed to serve it with a harsh response.

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On US support for Israel

Rezaei, meanwhile, commented on the ongoing all-out support that was being provided to the Israeli regime by the United States, Tel Aviv’s biggest benefactor.

“The great problem facing our region today is that the US has blocked all political and legal pathways that could lead to controlling the regime,” he said.

The official was referring to the US’s almost invariable use of its veto power at the UN Security Council to protect the regime against condemnatory resolutions as well as Washington’s recurrent threats against the international tribunals seeking to hold Tel Aviv accountable for its atrocities.

Rezaei noted that the US was sustaining the support, while the regime was committing the greatest of crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip, where more than 40,100 Palestinians have been killed as a result of an October-present Israeli war.

“The Gazans have had more bombs dropped on them than the ones that were deployed during the World War II,” he said.

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‘US hated in West Asia'

Asked about the message that he could seek to relay to the United States concerning its support for the regime, Rezaei said, “We tell this to the Americans that they should wise up.”

“The US has to think about why it is hated in the West Asia region? What has been the result of its unbridled support for the Israeli regime?” Rezaei asked, advising the US to revisit its regional policies.

He said the Israeli regime’s influence over the US was to the extent that “the American policies were being devised and planned in Tel Aviv.” “In fact, the Israeli regime issues orders and the US implements them.”

“This [however] translates into nothing but degradation of the US’s power,” he noted, adding that Washington could not back the regime, which is the main source of tensions in the region, on the one hand, and claim to be after regional de-escalation on the other.

‘Iran a power to be reckoned with’

Elsewhere in his remarks, Rezaei advised the United States not to try to “ignore” Iran’s power.

He identified the Islamic Republic as an influential and powerful player in light of historical and geopolitical aspects, citing the country’s history of standing up to former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s invasions and its successful confrontation against terrorism across the region.

“The US should not confront Iran’s role as a contributor to regional peace and security,” Rezaei said.

He, meanwhile, downplayed the US’s capability to open up a new front against the Islamic Republic, considering Washington’s power to have deteriorated over time and citing America’s prior engagement across multiple fronts throughout the world.

“The US is highly vulnerable against Iran. The commanders of the US military are aware of Iran’s capabilities. Therefore, they will avoid taking action against Iran,” the official said.

He warned, though, that the Islamic Republic was, nevertheless, ready to respond to any possible violation in kind.

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