Over the course of two days last week, two major assassinations shook the Middle East. The first was of senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr, for which the Israeli military took credit, in Beirut. The second was a much more daring operation – the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, right under the nose of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Iran and other sources have blamed Israel for the strike, and are vowing retaliation – and Israel is gearing up for an attack. For the Haaretz Podcast, correspondent Linda Dayan spoke to Dr. Raz Zimmt, a senior researcher and expert on Iran from the Institute of National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University about this threat.

After April's Iranian attack on Israel, Zimmt explained, "Iran has come up with this so-called 'new equation,' according to which every Israeli attack on Iranian interests – personalities or facilities, either inside Iran or outside Iran – would be considered a major blow, which deserves a direct attack by Iran."

Compared to previous incidents, "Iran and Hezbollah are more willing today to take the risk of escalation," Zimmt said, "even if it means dragging themselves into a full-scale confrontation."

Over the course of two days last week, two major assassinations shook the Middle East. The first was of senior Hezbollah commander <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/2024-07-30/ty-article/israel-strikes-hezbollah-commander-in-beirut-in-retaliation-for-deadly-majdal-shams-attack/00000191-04c6-d130-a5bf-b4cee3320000">Fuad Shukr,</a> for which the Israeli military took credit, in Beirut. The second was a much more daring operation – the <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-08-03/ty-article/report-israels-mossad-hired-iranian-agents-to-plant-explosives-in-hamas-chiefs-room/00000191-16fa-db7e-a99d-1efa23980000">killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh</a> in Tehran, right under the nose of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Iran and other sources have blamed Israel for the strike, and <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-08-05/ty-article/.premium/western-diplomats-say-iranian-response-expected-within-24-48-hours/00000191-2206-da8c-a393-a2f7ad270000">are vowing retaliation</a> – and Israel is gearing up for an attack. For the Haaretz Podcast, correspondent Linda Dayan spoke to Dr. Raz Zimmt, a senior researcher and expert on Iran from the Institute of National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University about this threat.
After <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2024-04-14/ty-article/.premium/suicide-drones-cruise-and-ballistic-missiles-a-breakdown-of-irans-attack-on-israel/0000018e-dd82-d203-a7cf-ffdee42a0000">April's Iranian attack on Israel</a>, Zimmt explained, "Iran has come up with this so-called 'new equation,' according to which every Israeli attack on Iranian interests – personalities or facilities, either inside Iran or outside Iran – would be considered a major blow, which deserves a direct attack by Iran."
Compared to previous incidents, "Iran and Hezbollah are more willing today to take the risk of escalation," Zimmt said, "even if it means dragging themselves into a full-scale confrontation."

From Haaretz – Israel's oldest daily newspaper – a weekly podcast in English on Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World, hosted by Allison Kaplan Sommer.

From Haaretz – Israel's oldest daily newspaper – a weekly podcast in English on Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World, hosted by Allison Kaplan Sommer.

Your audio guide to Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World.

Haaretz Podcast

From Haaretz – Israel's oldest daily newspaper – the Haaretz weekly podcast in English on Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World, hosted by Allison Kaplan Sommer. 

From Haaretz – Israel's oldest daily newspaper – the Haaretz weekly podcast in English on Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World, hosted by Allison Kaplan Sommer.

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