IRGC Commander: We Hope Hezbollah's Response Serves as a Lesson for Israel

The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) described Hezbollah's attack on an Israeli military convoy as a 'minimal response' in retaliation for the deaths of several members of the group and an IRGC commander. According to Fars News Agency, Mohammad Ali Jafari emphasized on Friday, January 29, that the response of the Islamic Republic and Hezbollah to Israel 'is one.' Following the killing of Mohammad Ali Allahdadi, a brigadier general of the IRGC, and several Hezbollah members, as well as Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of a former Hezbollah commander, due to Israeli helicopter attacks in late January, an Israeli military vehicle was targeted by an anti-tank missile on February 27 at the border with Lebanon. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for this attack in a statement. The IRGC commander noted, 'Hezbollah's response to Israel was a minimal response given to the Israelis, and we hope this response serves as a lesson for them not to make such mistakes again.' He added, 'The response of the Islamic Republic and Hezbollah is one; wherever our martyrs' blood is shed together on the battlefield, our response is one.' Jafari further stated, 'If they wish to respond through Hezbollah's cells, they should expect a more crushing and firm response not only around their borders but anywhere in the world where an Israeli Zionist or their supporters exist.' Jafari's remarks come as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, January 28, held Iran responsible for the deadly clashes on the Israel-Lebanon border. Meanwhile, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian reported on January 27 that Iran had sent a message to the U.S. following the death of Mohammad Ali Allahdadi, stating that Israel 'has crossed Iran's red lines and must expect consequences for its actions.' Jen Psaki, the U.S. State Department spokesperson, rejected Amir-Abdollahian's statements. Israeli media reported on January 25 that the country had sent a 'message' to Iran through Russia, advising against seeking revenge and calling for 'calm.' Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the IRGC, published an image on Friday of the 'Kornet-4' missile, which it claimed Hezbollah used against Israeli forces. According to the agency, this Russian-made missile has a range of three to four kilometers and is considered one of the 'most prominent' types of anti-armored vehicle, tank, and personnel carrier missiles.