Netanyahu's Reaction to IRGC Threat: If Attacked, You Will Celebrate Your Revolution for the Last Time

Benjamin Netanyahu reacted on Monday evening, February 22, to a threat from one of the senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), stating that if Iran attacks Israel, it will be the "last time it celebrates its revolution" this year. Earlier, the Iranian news agency IRNA quoted Yadollah Javani, the political deputy of the IRGC, saying, "America, with all its defensive and military capabilities, does not dare to fire a bullet at us, and America should know that if it attacks us, Tel Aviv and Haifa will be leveled to the ground." This senior IRGC commander had threatened Israel with the destruction of two major cities during a speech at the end of the anniversary rally in Khomayni Shahr, Isfahan province. In a 17-second video message published in Persian on his new Telegram channel, Netanyahu responded, "I am not indifferent to the threats of the Iranian regime, but these threats do not affect me." He added, "If this regime makes a big mistake and tries to level Tel Aviv and Haifa, not only will it not succeed, but it will be the last time it celebrates its revolution. They are advised to pay attention to this point." Javani's remarks on Monday became one of the main news stories in Israel, coinciding with special coverage by Israeli media on the anniversary of the Iranian revolution. Two weeks ago, Netanyahu had also responded to similar statements by Hossein Salami regarding attacks on Tel Aviv and Haifa, saying, "They have threatened us with destruction and missile attacks on our cities... but we know what power we have in defense and attack." The reciprocal threats between Iran and Israel on the anniversary of the Iranian revolution come as Netanyahu is set to travel to Poland this week to participate in the Warsaw Conference, where he will hold discussions focused on the Iranian regime with U.S. officials, including Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Netanyahu emphasized that the conference will address ways to prevent "Iran's violent behavior in the region and, more importantly, strategies to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons." Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and other officials have stated that they will never negotiate their missile capabilities and military power and will continue efforts to gain more strength in these areas. Iranian officials and military commanders have repeatedly stated that they believe threats from Israel and the U.S. are directed at the Islamic Republic, and they have said that "Tel Aviv and Haifa" will be leveled to the ground. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, previously stated, "If they make a mistake, the Islamic Republic will level Tel Aviv and Haifa to the ground." The Islamic Republic of Iran celebrated the anniversary of its revolution this year amid a deeper hostility with the Israeli government than in the past 40 years. The 40th anniversary of the Iranian revolution signifies the end of decades of peace between Iran and Israel and the beginning of animosity between the two governments following the establishment of the Islamic Republic in Iran. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini had condemned Israel in his speeches and writings long before the Iranian revolution, opposing its existence and often questioning whether the then Shah of Iran was "Israeli." Recently, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif claimed that "not a single person in Iran" has said that the Islamic Republic of Iran will destroy Israel, asserting that this outcome would be a result of Israel's own policies. Some figures within the Iranian government have strongly rejected Zarif's statements.