Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh stated that Tehran will respond to every strike if attacked by Israel or the United States (U.S.)
The comment from the Iranian defense minister comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised retaliation against Iran because the Houthis, supported by Tehran, launched a missile that struck an area near Israel’s main Ben Gurion airport.
“If this war is started by the U.S. or the Zionist regime, Iran will target their bases, forces, and interests wherever they may be and whenever we deem it necessary,” said the Iranian defense minister in an interview with state television.
During the interview, Iran’s state television also broadcast footage of a new ballistic missile named “Ghassem Basir.”
According to information from the defense minister, this missile has a range of 1.200 kilometers.
“The Ghassem Basir ballistic missile is the latest Iranian defensive achievement,” said the defense minister.
On Sunday, Iranian state TV aired footage of a new missile during an interview with Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh. He warned that Iran would retaliate with force against any aggression, specifically targeting American bases, though he emphasized Iran harbors no hostility toward its neighbors.
The missile unveiling came shortly after Iran and the U.S. held three rounds of nuclear talks mediated by Oman, marking their most senior-level discussions since the U.S. exited the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018.
In a Fox News interview on Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Iran to stop enriching uranium, asserting that only nations pursuing nuclear weapons engage in such activity. Similarly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted on April 27 that any credible agreement must eliminate Iran’s ability to enrich uranium and prevent missile development.
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful, civilian use and has refused to negotiate over its military and missile capabilities. U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of military action if diplomacy breaks down and has escalated sanctions targeting Iran’s oil industry.
