The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has delivered a forceful warning to Israel, promising “crushing attacks” if the country retaliates for Iran’s recent missile strike. This development marks another dangerous chapter in the already strained relations between the two nations.
“If the Zionist regime reacts to Iranian operations, it will face crushing attacks,” the IRGC said in a statement, published by the Fars news agency. Iran claims the missile attack on Israel was conducted in accordance with the United Nations Charter and was a direct response to the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in late July. Iran considers Haniyeh’s killing an “attack on its sovereignty,” and the missile strike came after what Tehran described as a “period of restraint.”
Direct Hits on Israeli Military Bases
The Iranian missile strike reportedly targeted three military bases near Tel Aviv, as well as other critical air and radar installations. The IRGC claimed that 90% of the missiles hit their intended targets. Iranian media, which shared footage of the missile launches, emphasized the “success” of the strike.
The footage showed the firing of missiles while state television aired upbeat music and images of celebrating crowds in various cities across Iran. In the city of Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest, residents reportedly took to the streets waving Hezbollah flags and carrying portraits of the late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut just days before. Similar celebrations erupted in Tehran and several other provincial cities, reflecting widespread public support for Iran’s military action against Israel.
Iran’s President Hails “Decisive Response”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian praised the missile strike, calling it a “decisive response” to what he described as Israeli aggression. In a televised address, Pezeshkian said, “This is the consequence of Israel’s continuous crimes. Iran has been patient, but we will not allow our sovereignty to be violated.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi echoed these sentiments, stating that Iran’s actions were “concluded” unless Israel decided to retaliate further. He also issued a stern warning to any nation considering direct military intervention in support of Israel. Araghchi emphasized that such involvement would provoke “powerful attacks” on their interests in the region.
The United States had previously warned of an imminent Iranian missile attack and cautioned that any escalation could have severe consequences for Tehran. However, Iran’s leadership appears undeterred, framing their missile strike as an act of self-defense following multiple provocations from Israel.
A Retaliatory Cycle of Violence
The recent missile strike is Iran’s second direct attack on Israel in recent months. In April, Iran launched a missile and drone attack on Israel following an Israeli airstrike on Iran’s consulate in Damascus. During that attack, most of the missiles were intercepted by Israeli defense systems or neutralized by allied forces. However, the latest missile barrage appears to have had more significant success, further escalating tensions between the two countries.
The current conflict is deeply intertwined with the broader instability in the region. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard is heavily involved in supporting Hezbollah and other groups aligned against Israel, and recent events have drawn these groups further into the fray. Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s leader and a longtime ally of Iran, was killed alongside General Abbas Nilforoushan, a senior commander in the IRGC’s elite Quds Force, which handles operations outside of Iran.
Fallout from the Gaza Conflict
The missile strike comes against the backdrop of the ongoing Gaza war, where violence has escalated dramatically since Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel. Iran has voiced strong support for Hamas but denied any direct involvement in the conflict. Despite earlier restraint, Iranian officials have grown increasingly frustrated with the ongoing violence and what they see as false promises from international intermediaries.
Iran’s President Pezeshkian has accused the United States and its allies of misleading Tehran into believing that a ceasefire in Gaza was imminent if Iran refrained from retaliating for Haniyeh’s killing. “We tried to not respond, believing we were on the brink of peace. But the promises were lies,” he said during a public address on Sunday. He also accused Israel of using peace talks as a smokescreen for further aggression.
A Long History of Hostility
Iran’s refusal to recognize Israel’s statehood has been a central pillar of its foreign policy since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Tehran has consistently positioned itself as a defender of the Palestinian cause, supporting militant groups like Hamas and Hezbollah in their struggles against Israel. As the conflict continues, Iran remains determined to respond forcefully to any perceived violations of its sovereignty or threats to its regional interests.
With regional tensions at an all-time high, the international community remains on edge, worried that the ongoing violence could spiral into a wider conflict, drawing in more countries and further destabilizing the Middle East. All eyes are now on Israel’s next move, as the situation teeters on the brink of further escalation.
