Iran warns of ‘harsh’ reaction to Israeli attack: Media

TEHRAN – Iran warned on October 31 of a “harsh and distressing” response to Israel’s deadly attack on Iranian military facilities on October 26, local media reported after a series of tit-for-tat attacks by the two foes.

Israeli warplanes stated that the attacks were carried out by Israel in retaliation for the missile bombardment carried out by Tehran on October 1, while Iran defined it as retaliation for the killing of Iranian-backed militant leaders and the commander of the Revolutionary Guards.

Since the attacks on October 26, Israel has warned Iran not to retaliate, while Tehran has vowed to respond, saying it does not want war.

“The Zionist regime’s attack on some parts of our country was a desperate act, and the Islamic Republic of Iran will give a harsh and sad response to it,” said Mohammed Mohammed Mohammedi Golpayegani, a senior advisor to religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. News reported by Tasnim news agency.

He praised Iran’s air defense performance in “preventing Zionist regime fighters from entering the region” and said the damage from the strikes was “minimal.”

Mr. Golpayegani is an influential cleric who serves as head of Khamenei’s office, which has the final say on all matters of state.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after the attacks that “they hit Iran’s defense capability and missile production.”

Iran’s armed forces said the attack killed four military personnel and caused “limited damage” to several radar systems. Iranian media also reported that a civilian was killed.

Also on October 31, General Hossein Salami, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a branch of the Iranian military, warned of an “unimaginable” response against Israel.

According to Tasnim, “Israel has reached the stage of collapse and these days it acts blindly, committing all kinds of crimes without following any rules.” AFP