Iran’s President and Revolutionary Guard Leaders Clash Over Response to Hamas Leader’s Assassination

Iran’s newly elected president, Masoud Pezeshkian, is reportedly in a power struggle with the hard-line leaders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) over the scale of Tehran’s response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh last month.

IRGC generals, seeking revenge for the killing of Haniyeh in Tehran, are advocating for direct missile strikes on military bases in Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities, according to a report by The Independent.

However, President Pezeshkian, a moderate who recently won the election against an IRGC-backed candidate, is pushing for a more measured response to avoid escalating into a full-scale war with Israel.

Pezeshkian reportedly favors targeting covert Mossad bases in neighboring countries, such as the Republic of Azerbaijan or Iraqi Kurdistan, and informing these nations beforehand to minimize the fallout.

The ultimate decision on how Tehran will respond rests with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has vowed “harsh punishment” for Israel in the wake of Haniyeh’s assassination.

Haniyeh was killed by bombs allegedly planted by Mossad months earlier at an IRGC guest house where he was staying during Pezeshkian’s inauguration.

Within the IRGC, there is resistance to Pezeshkian’s approach, with some members discussing ways to undermine his efforts.

An IRGC official emphasized that many within the forces believe that striking Tel Aviv with Hezbollah’s assistance is still the top priority and that Pezeshkian’s more cautious strategy may harm the revolution’s reputation.