In the aftermath of the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month, Iran has signaled that its promised retaliation against Israel may take time to materialize. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesperson, Ali Mohammad Naeini, stated on Tuesday that "the waiting period for this response may be prolonged." Naeini's comments, reported by state media, suggest a shift in Iran's previous rhetoric, emphasizing a more calculated approach to their actions.

Amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following the targeted assassinations of Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fu'ad Shukr, Israel claimed responsibility for Shukr's killing but did not confirm or deny its involvement in Haniyeh's death. Iran and its proxies, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, accused Israel of both killings and vowed to retaliate, prompting diplomatic efforts to prevent a full-scale regional war.

Mohsen Rezaee, former commander-in-chief of the IRGC, echoed Naeini's sentiments in an interview with CNN, stating that "the Iranian actions will be very calculated ones." Rezaee's statement suggests that Iran's response may differ from previous operations conducted against Israel, as Tehran refrains from hasty actions.

Naeini further stated that Iran's commanders have the experience and strategic expertise to effectively punish the enemy, affirming that there will be a departure from past response scenarios. He emphasized that "the response may not be a repeat of past operations" and that Iran will not engage in hasty retaliation. Naeini's remarks seemingly indicate a cautious and deliberate approach to confrontational actions against Israel.

Referring to previous incidents, Naeini highlighted Iran's attack on Israel in April, where approximately 300 projectiles were launched, marking Iran's first-ever direct assault on the country. He noted that "the Zionist regime (Israel) has accepted the defeat" and claimed that even American politicians recognized this fact. Naeini's reference to Israel's ongoing war in Gaza, fought for more than ten months to defeat Hamas and secure the release of hostages, suggests Iran's dissatisfaction with Israel's perceived failures.

The recent resumption of talks in Doha, Qatar, aimed at achieving a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, has brought some hope for de-escalation. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Israel has accepted a proposal to bridge gaps in ceasefire negotiations, urging Hamas to follow suit. However, there have been indications that Iran may still pursue its retaliation plan, as its mission to the UN clarified that Tehran's response is "totally unrelated to the Gaza ceasefire."

While Iranian officials have signaled a prolonged retaliation timeline and stressed the need for calculated actions, some diplomats have speculated that Iran may be reluctant to escalate tensions further, fearing the consequences of triggering a wider war. Observers have also suggested that Iran and Hezbollah may have inadvertently cornered themselves with their vows of reprisals.

As the region watches closely, the waiting game continues, with Iran's promised retaliation against Israel lingering in the balance. The coming weeks will reveal whether the nuanced approach proposed by Iranian officials will prevail, ultimately determining the course of events in this tense geopolitical landscape.