Iran Threatens 'Massive and Harsh' Response if Israel Retaliates

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has warned that the "tiniest invasion" by Israel would attract a "massive and harsh" response.

"If they do a tiniest invasion against our territory, they should be assured that they will face a massive and harsh response," Raisi said. 

"The True Promise Operation was a measured action and not all-encompassing. Had it been intended as a large-scale operation, it would have ensured the complete annihilation of the Zionist regime," he added. 

"However, it was intended as a limited response, aimed at retaliation against the Zionist regime and addressing the entities that had antagonized us," he said. 

His comments came after Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee Abolfazl Amoei stated that the Islamic Republic is "prepared to use a weapon that we have never used" if Israel responds further to Tehran's weekend attack.

Speaking on Monday, he said Israel should consider its next steps and "act wisely."

Iranian Navy Commander Shahram Irani also said that Iran's navy would escort its commercial ships to the Red Sea, putting Iranian warships directly at Israel's doorstep.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is carrying out a mission to escort our commercial ships, and now the Jamaran destroyer is present in the Gulf of Aden with all its strength," he said. 

"We escort our ships from the Gulf of Aden to the Suez Strait and are ready to protect the ships of other countries as well.

"For a long time, the balance of power in the region has changed despite the resistance force. Today, with the operation of the True Promise, it was proved to everyone that Muslims are speaking one thing together and that is supporting the oppressed and confronting the oppressor," he added.

Despite four days since Iran's missile and drone assault on Israel, calls persist for an "immediate reduction of hostilities" between the two nations.

Simultaneously, high-ranking officials from the United States and the European Union have advocated for the expansion of missile sanctions against Iran.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron has said it is clear that Israel is "making a decision to act" after he arrived in Jerusalem Wednesday.

Speaking in Israel, he said, "It is clear the Israelis are making a decision to act after the Iranian attack." Cameron expressed the British government's hope that "Israel acts in a way that does as little to escalate this as possible."

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General, relayed Antonio Guterres' message on Tuesday stating that hostilities in the Middle East must undergo an "urgent de-escalation," as emphasized during a telephone exchange with Iran's foreign minister.

Guterres sounded the alarm during an emergency session of the UN Security Council on Sunday, stressing that "the Middle East is on the brink" and urging alleviation of tensions.

Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor, said, "This morning, I spoke with my Israeli counterpart, National Security Advisor Hanegbi, to discuss events in the Middle East. During the call, I reiterated the United States' ironclad commitment to the security of Israel."

Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said, "A spiral of attacks & counter-attacks must be avoided. If the level of the response increases each time, we'll end up w/ a full-scale war. The region doesn't need it, the world doesn't need it."

In the early hours of Sunday, the Islamic Republic launched over 300 missiles and drones toward Israel. It was in retaliation for the April 1 attack that targeted the Iranian consulate in Damascus and killed officials, including a top Iranian General.

Israel, with help from the US, the UK, neighboring Jordan, and other nations, successfully intercepted nearly all the missiles and drones.

Israel has vowed to respond to the attack, without saying when or how, while its allies have urged all sides to avoid further escalation.