Iranian Guard chief warns Israel of ‘bitter consequences’ of attack: media

Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Major General Hossein Salami. File | Photo credit: Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran/WANA (West Asian News Agency) via Reuters

The top commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has warned Israel that it will face “bitter consequences” after attacking Iranian military targets, local media reported on Monday (28Oct2024).

Guard Chief Hossein Salami, quoted Tasnim News Agencysaid Israel “failed to achieve its sinister objectives” with its air strikes on Saturday (26 Oct 2024).

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.

Read also: Israel struck Iran. Key events October 27: Four Iranian soldiers killed in Israeli airstrikes; Hezbollah carried out a drone strike on an Israeli airbase

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

“Its bitter consequences will be unimaginable” for Israel, Mr. Salami warned, according to Tasneem.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei said on Monday (Oct 29, 2024) that Tehran will “react decisively and effectively” to deadly Israeli strikes on military targets over the weekend.

“We will use all available means to respond firmly and effectively to the aggression of the Zionist regime,” Mr. Bagai said at a regular press conference.

“The nature of our response will depend on the nature of the attack.”

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 (October 27, 2024) 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,” Mr. 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 on Saturday (Oct. 26, 2024) said Israel had “sent a message to Iran” ahead of the attack and warned it “not to respond.”