Reports from Iran indicate that senior figures in the regime are not satisfied with a purely military response to Haniyeh's killing and are exploring additional ways to retaliate against Israel.
According to the Islamic news agency, which is known for its proximity to the Ayatollahs’ regime, in addition to planning a military response to Haniyeh's assassination, the Iranian government is also considering a legal response. They plan to file a lawsuit against Israel in international courts.
Sources close to the news agency report that Iran intends to sue Israel for "sovereignty violations" and, paradoxically, to claim that Haniyeh's assassination constitutes an act of "state terrorism."
The reports also indicate that senior officials from the Iranian Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Justice have recently met to advance international actions against Israel. They are seeking ways to sue Israel despite Iran’s official non-recognition of the state of Israel. Some ideas under consideration include filing the lawsuit through a third country that does recognize Israel, similar to South Africa's lawsuit against Israel in the International Court of Justice, which is presented de facto on behalf of the Palestinians.