Iran's Khamenei orders 'direct strike' on Israel in retaliation for Haniyeh's killing, NYT reports

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued an order for Iran to "strike Israel directly," in retaliation for the killing of Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, according to The New York Times, citing three Iranian officials briefed on the matter.

The American daily newspaper further noted that Iranian military commanders are contemplating a combined assault using drones and missiles targeting military sites near Tel Aviv and Haifa, "but would make a point of avoiding strikes on civilian targets," the Iranian officials stated.