Israel issues chilling warning, Russia says won't abandon Iran

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has issued a chilling warning on the planned strikes against Iran.

He said when the strikes are carried out, the world would understand Israel’s military prowess.

More than three weeks have passed since Iran launched a barrage of missiles on Israel, which Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as a “big mistake” and vowed to make Iran “pay for it”.

According to The Guardian, Gallant (above) visited aircrews at Hatzerim air base on Wednesday and made clear that Israel still intended to strike back.

“After we attack in Iran, they will understand in Israel and elsewhere what your preparations have included,” he told the crews in a video distributed by his office.

On X, Gallant shared more about his meeting with the Air Force personnel.

“In my conversation with them I emphasised – after we attack Iran, everyone will understand your might, the process of preparation and training – any enemy that tries to harm the state of Israel will pay a heavy price,” he said.

The Guardian also noted that the extent of Israel’s target list has been the “subject of protracted conversations between Israeli leaders and the Joe Biden administration.”

The Biden administration, it added, has urged Israel not to strike Iran’s oil industry infrastructure or its nuclear programme.

“Washington fears a cycle of escalation, particularly in the last two weeks before the US presidential election,” it added.

Developing cooperation

Russia has made it clear that it would not abandon Iran during its hour of need.

“We are developing cooperation with Iran in a variety of areas. We intend to do this further,” Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov told CNBC.

“This cooperation is in no way directed against third countries,” he added.

Preskov was asked how Russia perceived the status of its relationship with Iran during heightened tensions in the Middle East

He was also quizzed on how the Kremlin would balance its competing interests and alliances in the region.

Analysts have speculated that Iran might ask the Kremlin to return the favour for aiding Russia in its war against Ukraine.

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