Gaza Ceasefire: Iran Holds Back Retaliation Pending Talks Outcome

A ceasefire deal in Gaza this week is crucial to preventing Iran from retaliating against Israel for Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh's assassination. Iran has warned of a severe response if talks fail, as negotiations with Western nations intensify. U.S. diplomatic efforts aim to de-escalate the situation.

A ceasefire deal in Gaza this week is crucial to preventing Iran from retaliating against Israel for Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh's assassination, Iranian officials have indicated. Iran blamed Israel for the killing, which occurred during Haniyeh's visit to Tehran last month. Although Israel hasn't confirmed its involvement, tensions are at a peak.

If Gaza talks fail or are perceived to be prolonged by Israel, Iran and its allies may launch a direct attack, warned a senior Iranian security official. The threat adds to the ongoing complexities in the Middle East, as intense dialogues between Iran, Western nations, and the United States are underway to calibrate potential Iranian responses.

The U.S. is urging allies to help de-escalate tensions through diplomatic channels ahead of the ceasefire talks set for Thursday. Despite Iran's desire to avoid an all-out war, a senior researcher speculated that while an Iranian attack is likely, it won't necessarily cater to the needs of its proxies. This emerges amidst heightened regional volatility following attacks attributed to Israel.

(With inputs from agencies.)