Israel threatens “direct strikes” if attacks are launched from Iranian soil

Israel’s foreign minister threatened on Wednesday that Israeli forces would directly strike Iran if the Islamic Republic launches an attack on Israel from its territory.

Foreign Minister Israel Katz’s comments came as tensions between the rival powers increased after a bombing at the Iranian consulate in Syria earlier this month killed an Iranian general.

“If Iran launches an attack from its territory, Israel will respond and launch an attack in Iran,” Katz said in an article published in Farsi and Hebrew on the X website.

Earlier on Wednesday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reiterated his intention to retaliate against Israel over the attack on the Israeli consulate in Damascus.

Tehran holds Israel responsible for the attack that killed 12 people.

Israel has not yet acknowledged its involvement, but it has been preparing for an Iranian response to the attack, a major escalation in their long-standing shadow war.

Khamenei, speaking at a prayer service marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, called the airstrike a “wrong act” similar to attacks on Iranian soil.

“When they attacked our consulate area, it was like they attacked our territory,” Khamenei said in a speech broadcast on Iranian state television. “The evil regime must be punished, and it will be punished.”

Neither Katz nor the Ayatollah detailed how they would retaliate.

The explosion on April 1 killed 12 people, including seven members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, four Syrians and a member of the Hezbollah militia.

Khamenei also criticized the West, especially the United States and Britain, for supporting Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.

“They were expected (to) prevent (Israel) from falling into this disaster. They did not. Western governments did not fulfill their responsibilities,” he said.

Iran supports anti-Israel militant groups such as the Palestinian group Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah. It does not recognize Israel.