Israel issues a warning to Iran: Expect retaliation if provoked

Israel warned on Wednesday that it would retaliate against Iran if the Islamic Republic were to strike Israel, the Associated Press reported. The comments came from the country’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate.

“If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will respond and attack in Iran,” Israel Katz said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, the AP reported.

Katz issued the warning after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promised Iran would fight back against the country after several members of Iran’s military were killed during an Israeli strike on an Iranian consulate in Syria on April 1. Among the victims were Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi, leader of the country’s Quds Force, and Zahedi’s deputy, Gen. Mohammad Hadi Hajriahimi. Five other officers were also killed, according to the Associated Press.

“When they attacked our consulate area, it was like they attacked our territory,” Khamenei said during a broadcast on Iran’s state television network. “The evil regime must be punished, and it will be punished.”

He also blamed the United States and Britain for the strike. Khamenei criticized both countries for their roles in supporting Israel in the war against Hamas.

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“It was expected they (would) prevent (Israel) in this disaster, Khamenei said. “They did not. They did not fulfil (sic) their duties, the Western governments.”

Israel has not claimed responsibility for the strike earlier this month, the AP reported. However, the country’s military forces have been expecting Iran to target its country in a retaliatory strike, according to reports.