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Iran Warns Israel of “Decisive Response” in Case of Military Action

By Orkhan Jalilov August 7, 2021

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The picture shows the spokesperson of Iran's Foreign Ministry, Saeed Khatibzadeh, addressing a weekly news conference. / Tasnim News Agency

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh has warned Israel after its threat to take military action against Tehran.

“In another brazen violation of Int’l law, Israeli regime now blatantly threatens #Iran with military action. Such malign behavior stems from blind Western support. We state this clearly: ANY foolish act against Iran will be met with a DECISIVE response. Don’t test us,” Khatibzadeh wrote in a tweet on August 5.

The spokesman’s remarks came as a response to Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who said that Tel Aviv was ready to take military action against Iran. 

“The world needs to deal with Iran, the region needs to deal with Iran, and Israel also needs to do its part in this situation,” Gantz declared.

When asked if he was referring to the world also getting involved in military action against Iran, the defense minister answered in the affirmative. Gantz also urged the international community to take action against Iranian aggression in a series of tweets

Gantz and Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid announced on August 4 that they identified the heads of the drone command and air force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as responsible for the last week’s deadly drone attack on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman.

The US and UK also blamed Iran for a drone attack on the Israeli-operated oil tanker Mercer Street off the coast of Oman on July 29. Two crew members, a British and a Romanian national, were killed during the incident. However, Iran denied the allegations, describing them as “baseless.” Iran has also been accused of attempting to hijack another vessel, the Asphalt Princess, of the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Tehran has denied involvement in this incident as well.

Amid the heightened tension between Iran and Israel, the commander-in-chief of the IRGC, Major General Hossein Salami, vowed a “determined and decisive response.” 

“We are ready for any scenario,” Salami said on August 4.

He further added that “today, our missile, defense, naval and drone capabilities and our ground forces have achieved an excellent state of readiness, and can respond to threats of any scale, at any point.”

In January, Israeli Lieutenant General Aviv Kochavi said he had instructed his forces to step up preparations for possible offensive action against Iran during the coming year.