Iran warns of retaliation, cites missile readiness if attacked
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Tehran: Iranian Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh warned that Iran would strike US and Israeli interests, bases, and troops "wherever and whenever deemed necessary" if either country initiates a war against the Islamic Republic.
In an interview with Iran's IRIB news agency published on Sunday, he responded to a recent statement by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who had cautioned that Iran would "pay the consequence" for its "support to the Houthis".
Nasirzadeh emphasised that Iran possesses a substantial missile arsenal and would not hesitate to deploy it against regional targets if war is imposed, according to the Xinhua news agency.
He also criticised what he described as contradictory US behaviour, arguing that while the US claims to be open to negotiations, it continues to threaten Iran through various channels.
Regarding Yemen, Nasirzadeh asserted that the country operates independently and makes its own decisions, advising the United States to avoid creating crises in the West Asia region.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Sunday to retaliate against Houthi forces in Yemen and their ally, Iran, following a missile attack that struck Israel's international airport.
On the social media platform X, the Prime Minister's Office stated that "attacks by the Houthis emanate from Iran." It further declared that Israel "will respond to the Houthi attack against our main airport and, at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terror masters."
(inputs from IANS)
