Watan-Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh warned on Sunday that Tehran will retaliate forcefully if attacked by either the United States or Israel.
Speaking to state television, Nasirzadeh stated:“If the United States or the Zionist entity (Israel) initiates war, Iran will strike their interests, bases, and forces—wherever they may be, and at a time of our choosing.”
This comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed further strikes on Iran and the Houthis in Yemen, following a missile launched from Yemen that struck near Ben Gurion International Airport, injuring six people and forcing airlines to suspend flights.
The Israeli military confirmed that the missile was launched from Yemen and landed near the airport despite multiple interception attempts.
In a Telegram video, Netanyahu said:“We acted against them in the past, and we will act against them in the future. It won’t be a single strike—there will be more.”
On X (formerly Twitter), Netanyahu directly blamed Iran for the attack:“The Houthi attacks originate from Iran. Israel will respond to the attack on our main airport at the time and place of our choosing, targeting their Iranian terrorist masters.”
Iran Unveils New Missile
Also on Sunday, Iranian state media unveiled the latest development in the country’s missile program:
The “Qassem Basir” ballistic missile, a solid-fuel missile with a range of 1,200 kilometers.
This has alarmed Western countries, who have long expressed concern over Iran’s expanding ballistic missile capabilities, which now place Israel well within range.
Footage of the missile’s launch was aired during a televised interview with Defense Minister Nasirzadeh, who reiterated:“If we are attacked or war is imposed on us, we will respond with force and target their interests and bases.”
He clarified that Iran does not seek conflict with neighboring states, but warned:“American bases will be legitimate targets.”
Diplomatic Context
The escalation occurs as Iran and the U.S. are engaged in indirect talks—mediated by Oman—since April 12, marking the highest-level engagement since Washington’s 2018 withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal under then-President Donald Trump.
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