A senior Iranian military official warned that Tehran would deliver a decisive response to any Israeli threat against its interests, including warnings backed by the United States.
General Gholam Ali Rashid, head of the Armed Forces Operations Room, stated that any Israeli threat against Iran would be assessed in light of US support for Israel and would be met with firm action by Iran’s military. He emphasized that Iran would target not only the source of aggression but also the facilities and bases supporting Israel’s operations.
The warning comes amid escalating rhetoric between Iran and Israel, particularly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities with Washington’s backing.
During a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week, Netanyahu claimed that Israel had already dealt a “strong blow” to Iran since the start of the Gaza war. He asserted that, with the support of US President Donald Trump, Israel had the capability to “complete the mission.”
Meanwhile, US intelligence agencies have reportedly warned that Israel is considering major strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in the first half of this year, taking advantage of Iran’s current vulnerabilities. Trump himself recently raised the possibility of an Israeli attack on Iran, though he stated that he preferred negotiating a deal to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.
Iran now faces a strategic crossroads—either engage in negotiations with Trump or risk further regional setbacks. Economic hardships and declining regional influence have put Tehran under increasing pressure, with some analysts suggesting that Iran may have no choice but to negotiate. The disintegration of its allied groups, the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and ongoing Israeli strikes on Hezbollah have weakened what was once a strong “Axis of Resistance.”
In response to these threats, Rashid accused Israel of spreading misinformation about Iran’s strength to deceive the US, Europe, and regional allies. He argued that Israel has always been weaker than it portrays itself and has lived in fear of Iran and its allied resistance groups for decades.
Iran’s Chief of Staff, Mohammad Bagheri, warned that any threat to Iranian security would destabilize the entire region. He declared that if an attack occurs, not only Israel but also those who assist in its military operations—including countries providing airspace and military bases—would be at risk.
In Washington, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz reaffirmed that Iran would never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. He warned that an Iranian nuclear capability would pose a global threat and could enable Tehran to conduct terrorist attacks under a nuclear shield. Waltz stressed that the Trump administration remains committed to preventing Iran from achieving this goal.
