Increased Warnings from Iranian Military Commanders Amid Likelihood of Israeli Retaliatory Attack

As reports emerge in Israeli media about an imminent response from the country to the recent missile attack by the Islamic Republic, warnings from Iranian military officials regarding any retaliatory response have intensified. Channel 12 of Israel reported that Israel's response to Iran is 'close and on the way,' and it seems Tehran has also 'realized that Israel's response is near.' Although officials of the Islamic Republic had previously warned Israel about any retaliatory attacks following the missile strike on October 1, which resulted in the deaths of Hassan Nasrallah, the former Secretary-General of Hezbollah, and Abbas Nilforushan, a senior commander of the Quds Force, as well as the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the former political leader of the extremist group Hamas, their tone has become harsher in recent days. The extremist group Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by Europe and the United States. Hezbollah of Lebanon is also on the U.S. terrorist list, but the European Union only recognizes its military wing as 'terrorist.' This party has representatives in the Lebanese parliament and government. Iran claims to have complained to the agency about 'Israel's threats.' Hossein Salami, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), on November 25, referred to the deployment of the U.S. ballistic missile defense system 'THAAD' in Israel, describing it as a 'pipe' and advised the leaders of this country not to 'trust' it. Hamid Vahedi, the commander of the Navy of the Islamic Republic, also, without mentioning Israel by name, addressed 'enemies,' claiming that 'they should know that the Islamic Republic of Iran has reached a high level of maturity and has not yet revealed many of its capabilities and weapons.' Alireza Tangsiri, the commander of the IRGC Navy, also addressed what he called 'extraterritorial enemies,' stating: 'Our enemy is you, and we will hit you in the mouth. You have understood this throughout the history of the revolution; we are a nation that does not bow to force.' Speaking on November 25 on Abu Musa Island during the 'Defensive Exercises of the Basij Forces of the Persian Gulf Islands,' he said: 'Anyone in any clothing and position who wants to violate this country, mock the islands, which are among our most important areas, or take a wrong step, we will crush their step and blind their unworthy eyes; we have proven this and will prove it.' Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, and Abdolrahim Mousavi, Commander of the Army, also issued harsh messages and strongly attacked Israel following the confirmation of the death of Hashem Safi al-Din, a potential successor to Hassan Nasrallah. Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesman for the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Parliament, also referred to the visit of members of the commission to the three Iranian islands, stating: 'The readiness of the armed forces in the Persian Gulf is high and ready to respond to any aggression from any origin.' The New York Times reported that in light of the expected retaliatory attack by Israel on Iran, the armed forces of the Islamic Republic are 'designing several military plans to respond' to this attack. The unprecedented support of the European Union for the UAE's claim regarding the three Iranian islands, coinciding with rising tensions between Iran and Israel, has faced a strong reaction from Iranian officials and has strengthened speculation about the West's decision to militarily confront the Islamic Republic. Although it is still unclear what Israel's response will be to the second direct attack from the air and land of Iran against this country, CNN reported, citing 'a source familiar with the matter,' that Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have assured the United States that the retaliatory attack on Iran will be limited to military targets and will not include oil or nuclear facilities. The New York Times also reported that in light of the expected retaliatory attack by Israel on Iran, the armed forces of the Islamic Republic are designing several military plans to respond to this potential attack. This newspaper reported on Friday, November 25, citing 'four anonymous Iranian officials,' including 'two members of the IRGC,' that the intensity of Iran's response depends on what kind of attack Israel will carry out. According to this report, if Israel carries out a major attack, such as targeting oil and nuclear facilities against Iran, the Islamic Republic will respond severely. The newspaper stated that if such a scenario occurs, Iran will consider launching up to a thousand ballistic missiles at Israeli territory, escalating attacks by proxy militia groups in the region, and disrupting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. The New York Times wrote that if Israel's attacks are limited to a few warehouses and military bases, there is a possibility that Iran may not even respond to these attacks, as this country does not seek war. The possibility of a wide-ranging response to a potential Israeli attack from Iran arises while U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday that he hopes Iran has received a clear message that any further attack on Israel fundamentally jeopardizes its interests. On November 25, Mohammad Ali Jafari, the former commander of the IRGC, confirmed for the first time that following the drone and missile attack by Iran on Israel on April 14, the Isfahan airbase was targeted by an Israeli missile attack. The official narrative of the Iranian government had previously been that the air defense of Isfahan was targeted by several 'drones and suspicious objects.' The former commander of the IRGC also claimed that any potential Israeli attack in response to Iran's missile attack on October 1 would be 'limited and small.'