<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Amid escalating regional tensions, Iranian Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh has issued a stern warning to the United States and Israel, vowing retaliatory strikes against their troops, bases, and interests worldwide should either nation initiate military action against Iran. His comments, broadcast on Iran's state-affiliated IRIB news agency on Sunday, came in direct response to recent remarks by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who warned that Iran would &ldquo;pay the consequence&rdquo; for backing Yemen&rsquo;s Houthi rebels.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nasirzadeh emphasized that Iran&rsquo;s missile capabilities are fully operational and primed for deployment. He asserted that Iran would not hesitate to respond decisively if war is imposed on the country, signaling a potential broad escalation across the region. "Should such a war be from the United States or Israel, the Islamic Republic of Iran will target their interests, bases, and troops wherever they are and whenever it deems necessary," he said.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Criticizing what he described as the contradictory nature of US diplomacy, Nasirzadeh accused Washington of simultaneously expressing willingness to negotiate while engaging in overt threats. He reiterated Tehran&rsquo;s position that Yemen is a sovereign nation, capable of making independent decisions, and advised the US to avoid stoking further instability in West Asia.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The warning comes hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged retaliation against the Houthis and Iran following a missile strike that targeted Israel&rsquo;s international airport. In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, the Prime Minister's Office squarely blamed Iran for enabling the attack. &ldquo;Attacks by the Houthis emanate from Iran,&rdquo; the post read, adding that Israel &ldquo;will respond to the Houthi attack against our main airport and, at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terror masters.&rdquo;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">With both Tehran and Tel Aviv now issuing explicit threats of military action, concerns are mounting over the possibility of a wider regional conflict, particularly as tensions surrounding the Yemeni civil war continue to spill across borders. The situation remains volatile, with observers warning that any misstep could trigger a larger confrontation between Iran and a US-Israel alliance already on edge.</span></div>

Defence Minister Nasirzadeh says missile arsenal is ready to strike US and Israeli interests “wherever and whenever necessary” if war is initiated

Iran Warns of Retaliation Amid Rising US-Israel Tensions Over Yemen Conflict

Defence Minister Nasirzadeh says missile arsenal is ready to strike US and Israeli interests “wherever and whenever necessary” if war is initiated

May 5, 2025 | 13:01 IST