Iran’s Defence Minister, Aziz Nasirzadeh, issued a strong warning on Sunday, stating that Tehran would retaliate if attacked by the United States or Israel. Speaking on Iranian state TV, Nasirzadeh declared, “If the U.S. or the Zionist regime (Israel) initiates the war, Iran will target their interests, bases, and forces—anywhere and whenever necessary.”
This statement followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vow of retaliation after a missile strike, attributed to the Iran-backed Houthi group, near Ben Gurion Airport in Israel. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, framing it as support for the Palestinian cause amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. Netanyahu condemned Iran’s involvement, saying Israel would strike back at both the Houthis and their Iranian “terror masters.” While Nasirzadeh denied direct Iranian control over the Houthis, he acknowledged their solidarity with Hamas and their previous missile and drone attacks on Israel.
As tensions rise, the U.S. has become more involved, launching airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen. President Donald Trump had previously warned that Iran would be held responsible for the actions of the Houthi group. Nasirzadeh added that while Iran has no hostile intentions toward neighboring countries, American military installations in the region could be targets if Iran faces aggression. These remarks coincide with Iran’s unveiling of a new solid-fuel ballistic missile, the “Qassem Bassir,” with a range of 1,200 kilometers (750 miles).
The situation continues to escalate, raising concerns about broader regional instability. Netanyahu has called for a “zero enrichment” agreement, similar to the one that led to the end of Libya’s nuclear program. Meanwhile, Iran insists that its right to enrich uranium is non-negotiable, but is open to discussions on the size of its uranium stockpile and other technical aspects, such as centrifuge numbers.
Recent reports suggest that Iran might agree to limit enrichment to 3.67%, in line with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and allow increased monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). However, these proposals do not aim to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, a key demand of Israel and some U.S. officials, but rather to impose restrictions on uranium enrichment to prevent a potential breakout.
