In a stern warning issued during his visit to Pakistan, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi stated that any significant attack from Israel could lead to the complete destruction of the "Zionist regime". Speaking on Tuesday, as reported by IRNA, Iran's official news agency, Raisi emphasized the severe repercussions that would follow an Israeli assault on Iranian soil.
The visit, which began on Monday, marks a three-day effort by Raisi to strengthen ties and boost trade between Iran and Pakistan to a proposed $10 billion annually. This initiative comes amidst efforts to mend relations following a series of reciprocal military strikes earlier this year.
#Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi warns that if #Israel were to attack Iran, it would risk significant damage to its own territory.https://t.co/WbUDHGoGc8
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) April 23, 2024
On April 13, Iran retaliated with a barrage of missiles and drones targeting Israel, a response to what Tehran perceived as an Israeli-initiated deadly attack on a consular building in Damascus on April 1. However, most of these were intercepted and neutralized.
Following an alleged Israeli strike in Isfahan targeting a missile defense system last Friday, Tehran downplayed the incident, stating there were no plans for further retaliation. A report from The New York Times revealed that Israel had initially considered a more extensive counterstrike near Tehran, which would likely have provoked a significant Iranian response.
An Israeli attack on Iranian territory could radically change dynamics and result in there being nothing left of the “Zionist regime,” Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi was quoted as saying on Tuesday by the official IRNA news agency.https://t.co/TXyuSvBKzS
— Algemeiner (@Algemeiner) April 23, 2024
Despite the heightened tensions, Iran has not explicitly blamed Israel for these incidents, a stance that some interpret as Iranian hesitance to escalate the conflict further. Meanwhile, Raisi reaffirmed Iran's commitment to supporting "the Palestinian resistance", alluding to its ongoing support for Hamas in its conflict with Israel in Gaza.
The enduring shadow conflict between Iran and Israel escalated into open confrontation following a prolonged conflict in Gaza, sparked by a major incursion on October 7 by Hamas, which resulted in significant Israeli casualties and hostages. This has led to increased regional tensions, with Iran's proxies in Lebanon and Yemen also launching attacks in solidarity with Gaza, supported by Iranian financial and logistical aid.
