TEHRAN, Iran: On Thursday, Hossein Salami, the commander of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards, issued a stark warning to Israel following an October 1 missile attack by Iran. He cautioned Israel that any aggression would be met with a reciprocal and painful response, emphasizing that Iran could penetrate Israel’s defenses. This came as Israel heightened its military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, a group backed by Tehran.
The tensions between the two nations are growing, with Israel intensifying its strikes against Hezbollah while vowing to retaliate against Iran for its missile strike. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi was also on a diplomatic tour across the Middle East, engaging with leaders to contain the situation.
Amid these developments, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart to discuss ongoing military actions in Lebanon and Gaza, seeking to avert a broader regional conflict. Meanwhile, Qatar’s mediation efforts in Gaza have reportedly stalled, and the European Union has called for diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions.
Israel’s continued operations in Gaza and Lebanon have resulted in significant casualties, with Palestinians and UN officials expressing concerns over dire humanitarian conditions.
