Iran has warned it will launch a military response if the United States or Israel initiates an attack.
Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said on state television that Tehran would not hesitate to retaliate against American and Israeli targets globally.
“If this war is initiated by the US or the Zionist regime [Israel], Iran will target their interests, bases and forces – wherever they may be and whenever deemed necessary,” he said.
Nasirzadeh clarified that Iran considers neighbouring states as allies but singled out US military presence as a direct threat.
“The countries in the region are our brothers, but America’s bases are our targets,” he added.
His comments follow a sharp warning from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who accused Iran of directing missile attacks via its regional allies. A projectile launched by Yemen’s Houthi group recently hit a road near Ben Gurion Airport, just outside Tel Aviv.
“Attacks by the Houthis emanate from Iran,” Netanyahu claimed, vowing a forceful Israeli response against what he called “Iranian terror masters.”