IRGC warns US, 'Israel' against harming Iranian interests

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
14 Apr 2024 02:44
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Iran's Foreign Ministry underlined that Tehran will not hesitate to take further "defensive measures" to protect the country's interests against any aggression.

This video grab from AFPTV taken on April 14, 2024, shows explosions lighting up the sky of occupied al-Khalil, in the occupied West Bank, during the Iranian response against "Israel". (Photo by AFPTV / AFP)

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it attacked Israeli targets in the occupied Palestinian territories with strategic intelligence capabilities, missiles, and drones, successfully hitting and destroying them.

An Israeli army official said Iran had launched more than 200 attack drones and ballistic missiles. The official IRNA news agency said the attack had dealt "heavy blows" to an air base in the al-Naqab desert, but the Israeli occupation military claimed there had only been minor damage. The news agency added that the attacking jets launched to attack the embassy took off from the targeted air base.

Previous statements made by Iranian officials said that the Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy was conducted via US-made F-35 fighter jets. Further investigation reveals that the F-35 fighter jets are stationed at the "Nevatim" air base in al-Naqab, due to operational reasons.

#Iranian missiles striking #AlNaqab desert deep inside the occupied #Palestinian territories.#Palestine #Iran pic.twitter.com/5RvJC2Milu
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 13, 2024

In a statement published a couple of hours after launching Operation True Promise in response to the Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria, the IRGC explained that the attack came after more than 10 days of silence and neglect by international organizations, particularly the UN Security Council, to condemn the Israeli aggression that resulted in the martyrdom of seven IRGC advisors.

The IRGC warned the US government that supporting or taking part in harming Iran's interests would result in a decisive and regrettable response by the Iranian Armed Forces.

It also held the United States responsible for the "evil" actions of the Israeli occupation regime, vowing that if the "child-killing regime" is not restrained in the region, it will bear the consequences.

The statement emphasized Iran's policy of good neighborliness with countries of the region but made it clear that any threat by the United States and "Israel" originating from any country would be met with a reciprocal and proportionate Iranian response to the source of the threat.

Shortly after the Iranian retaliatory attack, US President Joe Biden promised "ironclad" support for "Israel".

Biden cut short a weekend trip to the Delaware coast and held an emergency meeting at the White House with his top national security officials after Iran launched its unprecedented attack.

"I just met with my national security team for an update on Iran's attacks against Israel. Our commitment to Israel's security against threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad," Biden said on X.

An American defense official said the US military forces shot down some of the Iranian drones headed toward "Israel", adding that "our forces remain postured to provide additional defensive support and to protect US forces operating in the region."

Circulated footage of Iranian missiles hitting "Israel".#Iran #Palestine pic.twitter.com/mvzOwxKvsN
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 13, 2024

Elsewhere, the IRGC statement assured the Iranian people that the Iranian Armed Forces will defend Iran's national interests and will neutralize the enemies' efforts to destabilize the country's security and stability.

In the same context, the Iranian Foreign Ministry underlined that Tehran will not hesitate to take further "defensive measures" to protect Iran's interests against any military aggression.

"Iran, if necessary, will not hesitate to take further defensive measures to safeguard its legitimate interests against any military aggressions and unlawful use of force,” the Ministry said in a statement, "while reaffirming its commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law."

The Iranian Tasnim news agency also cited an informed source as saying that if "Israel" responds to Iran's punitive operation, the next punishment will be immediate and more severe.