The commander of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard warned Israel on Thursday against attacking the Islamic Republic in retaliation for a missile barrage as Israel’s military stepped up its offensive in Lebanon against Tehran-backed Hezbollah.
Fears of a wider Middle East conflict have risen as Israel plans its response to an October 1 missile attack by Iran following Israeli airstrikes against Iran-backed militants.
– We tell you (Israel) that if you carry out any aggression at any point, we will painfully attack your same point – Hossein Salami said in a televised speech, adding that Iran can penetrate Israel’s defenses.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke Wednesday with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant about Israel’s operations in Lebanon and Gaza, with the aim of preventing a regional war.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, on a tour of the Middle East, met in Cairo with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and Sisi repeated Egypt’s call to avoid the spread of the conflict, the Egyptian presidency said.
However, Israel shows no signs of easing its military campaigns against Hezbollah in Lebanon after killing several of its leaders, and Hamas in Gaza and has vowed to punish Iran for its October 1 attack.
