Iran warns Israel of retaliation for rocket attacks

The commander of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard warned Israel on Thursday against an attack on the Islamic Republic in retaliation for rocket fire as the Israeli military stepped up its offensive in Lebanon against Tehran-backed Hezbollah.

Fears of a wider Middle East conflict have risen as Israel plans its response to a missile attack by Iran on October 1, following Israeli airstrikes against Iranian-backed militants.

– We tell you (Israel) that if you carry out aggression at any point, we will painfully attack the same point – Hossein Salami said in a televised address, adding that Iran can penetrate Israel’s defenses.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Wednesday about Israel’s operations in Lebanon and Gaza aimed at preventing a regional war.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo while on a tour of the Middle East, and Sisi reiterated Egypt’s call to prevent the conflict from spreading, the Egyptian presidency said.

However, Israel shows no signs of easing its military campaigns against Hezbollah in Lebanon after killing several of its leaders, as well as Hamas in Gaza, and has vowed to punish Iran for its October 1 attack.