Iran warns of 'unpredictable' retaliation

File photo of Ismail Haniyeh. Iran says its potential retaliation against Israel for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh will be "unpredictable", while an analyst points to varied actions. Possible actions Nagapushpa Devendra, a West Asia analyst and research scholar at the University of Erfurt in Germany, told China Daily that Iran may undertake "direct but more indirect" retaliatory actions against Israel. Iran's actions may include supporting or encouraging proxy groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon or other military forces in the region to launch attack on Israeli targets, Devendra said. Regarding the reason for Iran's potential actions, she said: "Under the leadership of Iran's newly elected president, Iran is attempting to regain its security influence and capabilities that were undermined by sanctions imposed by the US.Given this scenario, it is likely that Iran's response may also be a way to assert its position as a key player in regional politics."