Iranian Guard chief warns Israel of ‘bitter consequences’ after attack – Middle East and Africa

The top commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned Israel it would face “bitter consequences” after attacking Iranian military targets, local media reported on Monday.

Guard chief Hossein Salami, quoted by the Tasnim news agency, said Israel “failed to achieve its sinister objectives” with its air raids on Saturday.

Israel struck military targets in response to Tehran’s Oct. 1 missile attack, itself in retaliation for the killing of Iran-backed militant leaders and a Revolutionary Guard commander.

Salami said the Israeli attack was a sign of “miscalculation and helplessness” as Israel battles Tehran-linked militants in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.

“Its bitter consequences will be unimaginable” for Israel, Salami warned, Tasnim reported.

Iranian media have downplayed the seriousness of the Israeli operation, signaling, according to analysts, the Islamic Republic’s reluctance to escalate further.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday said the Israeli attack, which killed four soldiers, “should neither be exaggerated nor minimized.”

He called it a “miscalculation” on Israel’s part.

President Masoud Pezeshkian said: “We do not seek war, but we will defend the rights of our people and country.”

Iran “will give an appropriate response to the aggression of the Zionist regime,” Pezeshkian added.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi affirmed Iran’s “right of reply,” also saying that Tehran “received indications” hours before the Israeli attack.

US news site Axios reported on Saturday that Israel had “sent a message to Iran” ahead of the attack and warned it “not to respond.”