Iran warned of “more crushing” attacks against Israel if what it called the “Zionist army” kept attacking southern Lebanon and Beirut, according to Iran’s state-run Press TV.
Iran accused Israel of acting “with the green light and support of criminal America” and said that it had “crossed all red lines” in the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“The Zionist army must stop its attacks on southern Lebanon and Dahiyeh,” Iran’s military said, according to Press TV, which referenced a neighborhood in the Lebanese capital of Beirut that is considered a Hezbollah stronghold. “If it expands its attacks on that region or responds to Iran’s action, it will face even more crushing and regret-inducing blows, and devastating attacks will be launched.”
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in a separate statement shortly before midnight local time, claimed “a substantial number of Iranian missiles are ready for immediate launch if Israel responds to Iran.”
The IRGC also warned Israel that “a broader list of targets in Israeli territory could be hit.”
Mohsen Rezaei, a senior military adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, said Iran’s latest military response was intended as a warning against ceasefire violation “or aggression against Lebanon.”
“This response serves as a warning for them to cease their hostile actions. Any new action will be met with a more forceful response and heavier costs,” Rezaei added in a post on X Monday local time.
“This response is a warning to cease mischief; any new action will be met with a tougher answer and heavier costs,” he added.
In an exclusive interview with CNN before Iran’s strikes toward Israel on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei warned that Iran’s armed forces “are steadfast or resolute to respond to any attacks with all force.”
Editor’s Note: CNN operates in Iran only with the permission of the government but maintains full editorial control of its reports.
This post has been updated with the IRGC statement.