Iran’s Defence Minister, Azziz Nasirzadeh, on Sunday warned that Tehran would respond with immediate and comprehensive strikes on American and Israeli forces should either country initiate military conflict against the Islamic Republic.
“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,” Nasirzadeh told reporters in Tehran.
His remarks come amidst a sharp escalation in regional tensions involving Israel, Syria, Yemen and Lebanon, following a Houthi-fired missile that landed near Israel’s main airport.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted with a stern warning: “Attacks by the Houthis emanate from Iran. Israel will respond to the Houthi attack against our main airport AND, at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terror masters,” he said on social media platform X.
The Houthis, who control substantial territory in Yemen and are strategically placed along the Red Sea trade route, have long been backed by Tehran. Despite a sustained 45-day American bombing campaign, the Iran-aligned group continues to launch drone and missile strikes on US and Israeli-linked targets.
Experts suggest the US efforts have failed to curtail Houthi operations, with their command structure and capabilities largely intact. “It’s pretty open that the Iranian regime has backed the Houthi group since it began fighting against Saudi Arabia,” a defence analyst observed.
Nasirzadeh asserted Iran harboured “no hostility toward neighbouring countries”, but in the event of an attack, US military installations in the region would be considered legitimate targets.
Also read: Trump demands full 'dismantling' of Iran’s nuclear programme
The warning coincided with Iran’s unveiling of its latest solid-fuel ballistic missile, named “Qassem Bassir”, with a reported range of 1,200 km (750 miles), marking a significant advancement in its strategic deterrent capability.
Meanwhile, as tensions in West Asia intensify and clouds of conflict loom over South Asia following the Pahalgam terror attack, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on an official visit.
He was received at the airport by Pakistan’s Additional Secretary for West Asia, Syed Asad Gillani, along with the Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan and other senior officials.
Araghchi is scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar. The visit, observers note, assumes particular significance as it comes during a period of heightened geopolitical strain in the region.
While Iran has previously expressed willingness to help de-escalate tensions between India and Pakistan, bilateral discussions in Islamabad are also expected to touch upon defence collaboration, counter-terrorism cooperation, and trade agreements.
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