Middle East crisis: Israel warns Iran of retaliatory attacks

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi warned Iran on Tuesday against launching further attacks on Israel, saying any aggression from Tehran would be met with a response that was stronger than recently seen.

Earlier this month, Iran launched ballistic missiles at Israeli targets. In response, Israel has carried out several attacks Iranian military installations this weekend, including missile production facilities near Tehran.

Speaking at the Ramon Air Base in southern Israel after the attacks on Iranian missile sitesHalevi stated: “If Iran makes the mistake and fires another barrage of missiles at Israel, we will once again know how to reach Iran.”

Halevi noted in his recent response that Israel has deliberately avoided attacking certain locations, indicating its willingness to use more force if Iran continues its aggression.

He warned that Israel would “reach Iran, with capabilities that we have not even used this time, and hit extremely hard both the capabilities and the places we have spared this time.”

“We have not completed this event yet; we are in the middle of it,” he told The Times of Israel.

ISRAEL’S STRATEGIC ATTACK ON IRAN

Days after the attack, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant praised the actions of the Israeli Air Force, describing the strikes as a strategic blow to Iran’s air defenses and radar systems.

“You have conducted precise attacks on their radars and air defense systems, putting the enemy at a tremendous disadvantage,” Gallant said, according to a statement from his office.

He added that the damage to Iranian production facilities could have lasting consequences for the balance of power in the region.

IRAN’S RESPONSE TO THE ATTACK

Iran is, however downplayed the extent of the damage.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei announced Monday that Tehran would “use all available tools” to respond, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stressed that while Iran is not seeking war, it is seeking an “appropriate response.” will comment on Israel’s recent actions.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of Israel’s actions in a speech on Sunday about the situationshould not be downplayed or exaggerated” and suggested that Iran might seek ways to disrupt Israel’s strategic calculations.

MIDDLE EAST CRISIS

The recent airstrikes come as Israeli forces continue to attack Hamas in Gaza and battle Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, adding a new layer of complexity to the conflict.

Last weekend, Israeli airstrikes targeted several locations in southern Lebanon. As tensions remain high on multiple fronts, Israel has warned southern Lebanese villages to evacuate due to continued airstrikes and artillery exchanges with Hezbollah.

Gallant stated that Iran’s ability to deploy proxy forces such as Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon has been significantly weakened, although both groups dispute Israel’s claims and argue that their capabilities remain intact.

(With input from Reuters)