Iran Issues Stark Warning to US and Israel Over Potential Retaliation Against Houthi Rebels
In a tense escalation of the ongoing conflict in the region, Iran has warned that it will “strike back” at targets, bases, and forces of the United States and Israel if they retaliate against Yemen’s Houthi rebels. This statement comes after a missile fired by the Iran-backed Houthi group landed near Ben Gurion Airport in Israel.
According to NDTV, Iran’s Defence Minister, Aziz Nasirzadeh, stated that while the country has “no hostility” towards neighbouring countries, it will consider US bases in the region as targets in case of retaliation. “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,” Mr Nasirzadeh said.
The Houthi rebels, who control large areas of Yemen, have been escalating their attacks on Israel and Red Sea shipping since late 2023. On Sunday, they fired a ballistic missile that landed just 75 meters from Terminal 3 of Ben Gurion Airport outside Tel Aviv. The missile reportedly bypassed four layers of air defence and hit a grove adjacent to an access road within the airport’s perimeter – one of the most sensitive zones.
Israeli officials reported that at least eight people were injured in the attack, as the country’s air defence systems failed to intercept the missile. The incident has raised concerns about the effectiveness of Israel’s air defence systems, particularly the US-made THAAD system and the indigenous Arrow system.
The Houthi group has been involved in a series of escalating clashes with the US and Israel. Last week, they claimed to have shot down a US F-18 fighter jet during an earlier assault on the aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman. They have also launched fresh drone attacks targeting another US carrier and Israeli cities.
Tensions between the Houthis and the US have escalated since Washington resumed airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen on March 15. US President Joe Biden has vowed to hold Iran responsible for any attacks carried out by the group.
In response to the missile attack on Ben Gurion Airport, Israel has announced a “sevenfold retaliation”. Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, stated, “Whoever harms us, we will strike them sevenfold.” Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also pledged multiple strikes against the Houthis, saying, “Israel’s retaliation for the Houthi attack will not be a ‘one-and-done’ situation, and there will be blows in response to the attack.”
The situation remains volatile, with Iran now directly threatening to target US and Israeli interests if they retaliate against the Houthi rebels. According to NDTV, the conflict is likely to have far-reaching consequences for the region.
Iran has also unveiled a new solid-fuel ballistic missile called ‘Qassem Bassir’, which has a range of 1,200 kilometres. The development of this missile has raised concerns about Iran’s military capabilities and its potential to target countries in the region.
The international community is closely watching the situation, with the US and other countries calling for restraint and de-escalation. However, with both sides dug in and refusing to back down, the conflict is likely to continue.
In related news, the Houthi rebels have been involved in a series of attacks on Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and have also been accused of carrying out attacks on civilian targets in Yemen. The situation in Yemen remains dire, with the country facing a severe humanitarian crisis.
The conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel has far-reaching implications for the region and the world. As tensions continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold.
Iran’s warning to the US and Israel has significant implications for the region. With the conflict escalating, it is essential to consider the potential consequences of further military action.
The development of Iran’s new solid-fuel ballistic missile has raised concerns about its military capabilities. The missile has a range of 1,200 kilometres, which puts several countries in the region within its reach.
The situation is being closely monitored by the international community, with many countries calling for restraint and de-escalation. However, with both sides refusing to back down, the conflict is likely to continue.
In conclusion, the conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel has significant implications for the region and the world. With tensions continuing to escalate, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold.
According to NDTV, the situation is likely to have far-reaching consequences for the region. The international community must continue to monitor the situation closely and work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
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