The Iranian security system is also struggling under the weight of internal dissent. It brutally suppressed mass demonstrations calling for an end to the regime in 2022, and is probably expending much of its efforts trying to contain fresh rebellion from within. That may partly explain why Haniyeh’s assassins succeeded in the first place.

On Wednesday, Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran’s new president, signalled Tehran would indeed retaliate.

“We will make the occupying terrorist regime regret its action,” he said, adding that “Iran will defend its sovereignty, dignity, reputation and honour.”

Precedent suggests it may be contained or choreographed in a similar way to April’s missile barrage.

After all, the Iranian regime has so far shown itself unwilling to commit the full might of its military forces in aid of Hamas. Its most dramatic interventions have followed Israeli attacks on its own Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders.