As Israel launched its “biggest” strikes against Lebanon since the start of its ground operation, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Wednesday warned it will deliver a “regret-inducing response” if the attacks are not stopped immediately.
According to state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the IRGC issued a stern warning to the “oath-breaking United States and its Zionist partner in slaughter”.
“If the aggressions against dear Lebanon are not brought to an immediate end we shall fulfil our duty and deliver a regret-inducing response to the malicious aggressors in the region.”
The IRGC further declared that any attack on Hezbollah is an attack on Iran. “The [military] field is preparing a heavy response to the regime’s savage crimes,” it added.
The IRGC remarks came shortly after the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said that it has launched its “biggest strike” against Hezbollah since launching its ground operation in Lebanon.
Despite Iranian warnings, the IDF continued to pound Lebanon and struck a Hezbollah commander in Beirut.
In a statement, IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee quoted Chief of Staff General Eyal Zamir as saying the IDF will “exploit every opportunity” and “continue the raids without stopping.”
The Israeli actions risk derailing the fragile ceasefire announced by the United States and Iran earlier today – with both pushing competing narratives over who blinked first.
While the US claimed Iran had pleaded for the ceasefire, Tehran said it agreed to the conditional truce following a request from Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Washington’s acceptance of its 10-point proposal.
White House rejects reports claiming Strait of Hormuz is closed
Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected reports claiming that the IRGC Navy has closed the Strait of Hormuz.
She said that US President Trump is aware of the reports and added that what is being said publicly is different from what is being said privately. Leavitt claimed an uptick in traffic today as she rejected reports suggesting otherwise.
Reopening the Strait of Hormuz was among the key conditions of the ceasefire.
However, reports claimed that the IRGC Navy Station has sent a message to ships in the Gulf, saying the Hormuz Strait is closed and that ships crossing the chokepoint waterway without permission will be targeted and destroyed.