Iran says it will strike back if US or Israel attack
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Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea delivering a televised statement about an attack – a missile landed near Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport – on May 4.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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Iran’s Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said on May 4 that Tehran would strike back if the United States or Israel attacked.
His comments came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to retaliate against Iran
“If this war is initiated by the US or the Zionist regime (Israel), Iran will target their interests, bases and forces - wherever they may be and whenever deemed necessary,” Mr Nasirzadeh told Iranian state TV.
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis launched a missile on May 4 that landed near Ben Gurion Airport, the latest in a string of attacks, saying they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
“Attacks by the Houthis emanate from Iran. 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,” Mr Netanyahu said on social media platform X.
Echoing Iran’s official stance, Mr Nasirzadeh said the Houthis act upon their own motivations.
The Iran-aligned group has been launching missiles and drones at Israel in support of Hamas fighters. The United States has been striking Houthi strongholds in Yemen since March 15, with US President Donald Trump vowing to hold Iran responsible for any attacks carried out by the group.
Iran has “no hostility toward neighbouring countries”, but in case of an attack, the US bases located in the region will be considered targets by Tehran, Mr Nasirzadeh also said.
The minister’s statements followed Iran unveiling on May 4 a new solid-fuel ballistic missile called Qassem Bassir, which has a range of 1,200km, the Iranian state media reported. REUTERS
