The White House said that Iran is preparing to launch an attack on Israel, while Tehran said that its response to the assassination of the head of the political bureau of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), Ismail Haniyeh, would be sudden and proportionate.

White House National Security Council Communications Advisor John Kirby said that Iran is preparing to launch an attack, but he sent a message to Tehran that there is no reason to start a regional war, as he put it.

Kirby added that we are still hopeful about the success of the ceasefire talks in Gaza with the continued participation of all parties.

Kirby had said that working groups were meeting in Cairo to hold talks on a ceasefire in Gaza.

Kirby added that all parties will be represented in the working group talks in Cairo, including Hamas, explaining that the negotiations are currently focusing on the details, including the exchange of prisoners and captives.

On the other hand, Hojatollah Qureshi, Iranian Deputy Minister of Defense, said that his country’s response to Haniyeh’s assassination would be surprising and proportionate, adding that Israel must experience a state of psychological anxiety as a result.

The Iranian official added that the assassination of Haniyeh is an unforgivable crime and a violation of Iranian sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He stressed that Iran is the one who determines how and when to respond, noting at the same time that his country has no desire for war, but the aggression will be met with a response.

He expressed Iran's readiness to develop defense and military relations with countries in the region that have common policies with Tehran.

For about 3 weeks, Israel has been preparing for an Iranian retaliatory attack in response to the assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31.