Liberman: If Iran Attacks Tel Aviv, Israel Will Target Tehran

Avigdor Liberman, Israel's Defense Minister, warned in an interview with a Saudi website that "the Iranian regime is in its last days" and stated that "if Iran attacks Tel Aviv, Israel will also target Tehran." In an exclusive interview published on Thursday, April 26, on the Arabic website 'Elaph', based in London, he said: "If Israel is not at peace, Tehran will not see peace either... My advice is not to test us; we are prepared for any eventuality." Liberman further issued rare warnings to the Islamic Republic of Iran, stating that Israel is "prepared to pay any price to defend its security and interests." His remarks come as several senior Iranian officials have emphasized that they will retaliate for the Israeli attack on the T-4 base in Syria, which resulted in the deaths of at least seven Iranian military personnel on April 8. Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, stated on Tuesday before traveling to Russia that punishment for Israel is "certain." Before him, Ali Akbar Velayati, advisor to Ayatollah Khamenei on international affairs, also stated that the Israeli attack would not go unanswered. Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for the attack on the T-4 base. However, Liberman emphasized that Israel has "not intervened in this war" during the more than seven years of the Syrian conflict, stating that his country will stand against Iran's efforts to establish a military presence, especially near the Golan Heights, and will target any threat against Israel. Iran has yet to respond to the recent statements made by the Israeli Defense Minister. Liberman also dismissed the existence of tension between Israel and Russia over Iran's military presence in Syria, stating: "We have clearly told Moscow that we will not tolerate Iran's presence in Syria." Recently, Nikolai Patrushev, Russia's National Security Advisor, held separate meetings with Ali Shamkhani, Iran's National Security Advisor, and Eitan Ben David, Israel's Deputy National Security Advisor, on the sidelines of a security meeting in Sochi. The Israeli website 'Walla' reported on Wednesday that these meetings are part of Russia's efforts to reduce the crisis between Iran and Israel. Alexander Shinn, Russia's ambassador to Tel Aviv, also stated in an interview with the same website that Moscow is calling on Iran and Israel to "calm down as soon as possible." Shinn also noted that Russia "understands Israel's concerns about Iran's military presence in Syria" and considers Iran's presence there to be "very concerning." The Israel-Iran crisis over Iran's military activities in Syria has intensified ahead of a crucial decision by the U.S. President regarding the JCPOA, which is set to be announced on May 11. Senior Iranian officials have recently stated that in response to a potential U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement, Iran is also considering withdrawal from the NPT as one of its options. Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Prime Minister, reiterated in recent days that if the JCPOA does not undergo fundamental changes, it is better to cancel it. The Israeli Defense Minister also stated in an interview with the Saudi website 'Elaph' that if the JCPOA is canceled, "Iran's economy, which is currently facing serious instability, will collapse." He referred to the severe depreciation of Iran's currency and the protests of Iranians in dozens of cities in recent months. Avigdor Liberman traveled to Washington on Wednesday to meet with his American counterpart, General James Mattis, and John Bolton, the new U.S. National Security Advisor, to discuss Iran in particular. At the same time, Israeli media reported that Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the UN, is set to present "important information regarding the dimensions of Iran's military presence in Syria" at the UN Security Council meeting on Thursday.