Israel’s foreign minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning on Wednesday, asserting that the country would retaliate directly against Iran if the Islamic Republic launched an attack from its territory. This statement comes amidst escalating tensions between the two nations following the deaths of Iranian generals in a blast at the Iranian consulate in Syria earlier this month.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also weighed in on the situation, reaffirming Iran’s vow to retaliate against Israel for the attack on its consulate in Damascus. Tehran holds Israel accountable for the strike that demolished the building, resulting in the deaths of 12 individuals. While Israel has not officially acknowledged its involvement, it has been anticipating a potential Iranian reprisal, escalating the ongoing shadow conflict between the two nations.
Speaking at a prayer ceremony commemorating the end of Ramadan, Khamenei condemned the airstrike as an act of “wrongdoing” and likened it to an assault on Iranian territory. He vowed that the “evil regime” responsible for the attack would face punishment, though neither he nor Katz provided details on the nature of the retaliation.
Among the casualties of the April 1 blast were seven members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, four Syrians, and a member of the Hezbollah militia. Khamenei also criticized Western nations, particularly the United States and Britain, for their support of Israel during its conflict with Hamas in Gaza.