Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces: We Will Respond to Recent Aggressions at the Appropriate Time

The Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces stated on Tuesday, May 6, that Tehran will respond to recent aggressions at the 'appropriate and necessary time.' In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remarked, 'Enemies who threaten our destruction are putting themselves in danger.' Simultaneously, Israeli media reported that this week's agenda for the Prime Minister was altered due to security issues related to Iran. According to Iranian media, Major General Bagheri stated that 'the fact that some events occurred in recent days without a response does not mean silence or acceptance of their aggressions; a response will be given to the enemies at the appropriate and necessary time.' His implicit reference was to the attacks attributed to Israel against Iranian military bases in Syria in recent weeks. Major General Bagheri made these remarks during a visit to the Dezful airbase and armored brigade in Khuzestan province. Reports indicate that since Israel claimed Iran had entered a direct confrontation path by sending a combat drone from Syrian airspace into Israeli territory, several Iranian military personnel have been killed in attacks attributed to Israel in Syria. Bagheri's statements on Tuesday were the first reaction from the highest-ranking military official in Iran to the recent crisis, which could change the equations. He also stated that 'the defensive power and authority of the armed forces have led enemies to conclude that any aggression or claim on the territory and interests of this revolutionary and independent country in today's world will yield nothing but casualties and costs for them, and achieving any goal for the enemy is not possible.' He named the U.S., Israel, and Saudi Arabia among these 'enemies.' However, according to Israeli media, Netanyahu, who participated in the 70th anniversary ceremony of the establishment of the Israeli army on Tuesday evening, said, 'Whoever strikes us, we will strike them... with iron fists and steel will.' Israeli President Reuven Rivlin also stated at this ceremony, 'Whoever uses force against us will find their fate sealed.' Netanyahu had mentioned twice on Sunday that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard had increased arms shipments to Syria to endanger Israel. He added that his country is prepared for 'confrontation' with Iran because 'it is better to stop the damage sooner rather than later.' Yuval Steinitz, Israel's Energy Minister, stated on Tuesday that if Syria allows Iran to attack Israel again, Israel will destroy Bashar Assad and his regime. The Israeli army assessed that Iran intended to launch missiles from Syria at Israel on May 6, one day after the Lebanese parliamentary elections. Israel believes that the disclosure of this military information caused Iran to change its plans to implement this goal; however, Iran did not respond to this claim. Meanwhile, Israeli media reported on Tuesday evening that Netanyahu's agenda for the coming days has changed, and his trip to Cyprus on Tuesday will be limited to a few hours to return to Jerusalem due to the importance of security issues, and his trip later in the week to Moscow is also uncertain. The Israeli Energy Minister stated on Tuesday that Netanyahu will tell Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow on Wednesday that anyone wishing for Bashar Assad's survival must give him the necessary warnings. Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, also stated on Tuesday in his first speech after the Lebanese parliamentary elections, 'I hear the threats of Israeli leaders on television; at the same time, I see what is happening in Iran and the situation in Gaza; it is unclear where these issues will lead; we do not have much time to lose.' The enmity between Israel and Iran has intensified as the U.S. decision regarding the JCPOA approaches in five days; the Israeli Prime Minister stated in recent days that his country has never accepted the JCPOA. Last Tuesday, Netanyahu unveiled an Iranian nuclear archive obtained by Israel, claiming that the JCPOA was based on Iran's lies because these documents 'prove' that Tehran's goal was to produce a nuclear bomb. However, Iran labeled Netanyahu as a ridiculous showman, a seasoned liar, and cunning.