Israel’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, issued a stern warning on Wednesday, threatening direct strikes on Iran if the Islamic Republic were to launch an attack from its territory against Israel.
The statement comes amidst escalating tensions between the two nations, triggered by the recent killings of Iranian generals in a blast at the Iranian consulate in Syria earlier this month.
Katz’s declaration, posted on X in both Farsi and Hebrew, underscores the seriousness of the situation. “If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will respond and attack in Iran,” he stated unequivocally.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reiterated Iran’s commitment to retaliate against Israel over the consulate attack in Damascus.
Tehran holds Israel responsible for the strike that claimed the lives of 12 individuals. Among the casualties was Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior figure in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard who previously led the group’s elite Quds Force in Lebanon and Syria until 2016.
Despite Israel not acknowledging its involvement in the attack, tensions have been mounting as both sides brace for potential repercussions, marking a significant escalation in their long-standing shadow war.
Israel’s military has frequently targeted Iranian-linked sites in Syria over the years, aiming to disrupt arms transfers and other collaborations with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, a militia group backed by Iran. However, Israeli authorities rarely comment on these operations.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, there have been near-daily exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah along the Israel-Lebanon border since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza six months ago.
Gaza’s ruling party, Hamas, which initiated the conflict by launching attacks on southern Israel, also enjoys backing from Iran.
Khamenei’s recent remarks, made during a prayer ceremony marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, emphasised Iran’s stance on the consulate attack, equating it to an assault on Iranian territory.
He vowed retaliation against what he termed as the “evil regime.”
Both Katz and Khamenei refrained from specifying the exact nature of potential retaliatory actions, leaving room for speculation amidst the heightened tensions.
In addition to the bilateral standoff, Khamenei criticized Western powers, particularly the United States and Britain, for their support of Israel during its conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
Chioma Kalu
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