Jerusalem: Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz threatened on Thursday to strike Iran’s military and civilian infrastructure, including energy facilities, if Tehran attacks Israel.
In a video statement, Katz said that economic pressure and fears of unrest could push the Iranian leadership towards “desperate measures.”
“An Iranian attack on Israel will free Israel from any existing restraint in attacking Iran,” he said. “We will strike all national military and civilian infrastructure in Iran — including energy infrastructure,” Xinhua News Agency reported.
Katz said Israel was prepared “in defence and attack for any possibility” and threatened to “return Iran deep into the Stone Age and darkness.”
His remarks came amid heightened regional tensions. Iran had reportedly warned Washington last month that it would respond forcefully if Israel launched an offensive against the Ali al-Taher Ridge in southern Lebanon, according to media reports.
The ridge, located about 15 km from the Israeli border, has emerged as a key flashpoint in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. Israel believes Hezbollah has underground military facilities in the area and has repeatedly carried out strikes on and around the ridge.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Israel struck southern Lebanon after Hezbollah launched two explosive drones at Israeli troops, in the latest test of the June ceasefire.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported Israeli shelling and airstrikes on Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Arab Salim and the Ali al-Taher Ridge, as well as machine-gun fire towards Zawtar al-Sharqiyah.
The Israeli military said in a statement that Hezbollah launched the drones overnight towards its troops in the Ali al-Taher Ridge. The Israeli army shot down one drone, with no casualties immediately reported, the statement said.
The Israeli military said it had targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in the Nabatieh area and sites it said were used to plan and direct attacks against Israeli troops.
IANS
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