Iran Warns Israel After Hamas Leader's Death

President Joe Biden's leadership is being questioned as he appears to be a "lame-duck" president, potentially emboldening terrorist groups in the Middle East, according to Victoria Coates, vice president of the Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy at The Heritage Foundation. Coates expressed concern over Biden's lack of public presence and activity, suggesting that the vice president may be stepping into a role that is not constitutionally hers, which could lead to confusion in U.S. foreign policy and decision-making, particularly regarding Iran. The situation escalated following an airstrike that killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, prompting Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to declare that revenge is a "duty." The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps also threatened Israel, warning of a "harsh and painful response." This strike coincided with heightened military actions in the region, including an Israeli strike in Beirut that killed a top Hezbollah leader and a U.S. strike in Iraq described as self-defense. Iranian officials have condemned the airstrike on Haniyeh, blaming Israel for his death. Khamenei and other Iranian leaders have vowed that Israel will "pay a heavy price" for its actions, framing the situation as a direct challenge to the "Zionist regime." Haniyeh, who was seen as a moderate within Hamas, had previously engaged in cease-fire negotiations and was a significant figure in the group's diplomatic efforts. As tensions rise, the potential for retaliatory strikes against Israel and U.S. interests looms large, with both Hamas and Hezbollah vowing to continue their resistance against perceived aggressions. The ongoing conflict in Gaza further complicates the already volatile situation in the region.