According to an Iranian official, Tehran may broaden its military response to include Israel’s nuclear sites if another nation joins the conflict on Israel’s behalf, increasing the number of potential targets.
A high-ranking Iranian security source has informed RT that Iran intends to continue its military actions against Israel and might target its nuclear facilities.
In an exclusive statement to RT’s Tehran bureau chief, the anonymous official stated that Iranian forces will continue missile and drone operations throughout the day, specifically targeting “the occupied territories and Israeli garrisons.”
The official stated that Iran’s response is in line with “the Quranic advice on retaliation,” and warned that Iranian forces would respond “to any extent and wherever the regime attacks Iranian soil.” However, he noted that “Iran’s moral principles” dictate that hospitals will not be targeted.
The official emphasized that “The Zionist regime’s claim that Iran attacked one of the hospitals in the occupied territories is completely false,” referring to reports that the Soroka hospital in Be’er Sheva, southern Israel, was hit.
He also stated that the response from Tehran will escalate if Israeli strikes hit Iranian nuclear sites. The official warned, “Since the [Israeli] regime has attacked our nuclear facilities, our armed forces will subject their nuclear facilities to crushing blows.”
Since the beginning of its assault last week, Israel has reportedly struck several Iranian nuclear sites, including those in Natanz, Isfahan, Fordow, and near Tehran. Reports indicate that between nine and fourteen nuclear researchers have died in these attacks.
Without directly naming the US, the Iranian official also cautioned that “if another country directly enters into war with us, it will provide much more accessible targets for the Iranian armed forces to destroy.”
US President Donald Trump has praised Israel’s attacks on Iran as “excellent” and has urged Tehran to surrender unconditionally. He also warned that the US might become directly involved in the conflict if Iran strikes any American targets.
Last Friday, Israeli forces initiated strikes on Iran, alleging that Tehran is nearing the completion of a nuclear weapon. Iran denied these accusations and retaliated with drone and missile strikes on Israel.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi has refuted Israel’s claims, stating that the agency has found no evidence of a “systematic effort” by Iran to produce nuclear weapons.