DUBAI/BEIRUT: Only a ceasefire deal in Gaza stemming from hoped-for talks this week would hold Iran back from direct retaliation against Israel for the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh on its soil, three Iranian officials said.
Iran has vowed a severe response to Haniyeh’s killing, which it blamed on Israel. Israel has neither confirmed or denied its involvement.The US navy has deployed warships and a submarine to West Asia to bolster Israeli defences.
One of the sources said Iran, along with allies such as Hezbollah, would launch a direct attack if the Gaza talks fail or it perceives Israel is dragging out negotiations. The sources did not say how long Iran would allow for talks to progress before responding. Amid the increased risk of a broader war, Iran has been involved in dialogue with Western nations on ways to calibrate retaliation, said the sources.