Iran, the response in the moment of “maximum surprise”. Risk of escalation –

The Middle East is a powder keg. For more than three weeks, Israel has been expecting a massive attack from Iran in retaliation for the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had promised “severe punishment.” These words had pushed Israel and its allies to devise defensive maneuvers, fearing a wider regional war. The military counterattack has not yet taken place and the feeling is that they are waiting for the opponent’s moment of greatest weakness. However, threats are not lacking. Iran’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York said that the Islamic Republic’s response to Israel’s assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh will be implemented in a way that ensures that “it will happen at a moment of maximum surprise.”

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“The timing of Iran’s response will be meticulously orchestrated to ensure that it comes at a time of maximum surprise,” the mission said when asked if Tehran was holding off on its response to Israel so that ongoing ceasefire talks in Gaza can proceed. Iran says Haniyeh was an official guest of the Islamic Republic and that “the Israeli attack constituted a violation of the country’s sovereignty. Iran’s response must punish the aggressor for its act of terrorism and violations of Iran’s national sovereignty,” the mission said, adding that the response should also serve as a deterrent.