Newsletters
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned Tuesday that the "gates of hell will open more and more" on the United States and Israel, as Iranian forces launched fresh attacks on Israeli territory and a U.S. military base in Qatar.
Tehran also warned European nations that joining the conflict would constitute an "act of war."
IRGC spokesperson and deputy for public relations, Brig. Gen. Naeini, reportedly said that the IRGC would continue its attacks "without interruption" under the command of General Vahidi, whom he described as the "powerful, intellectual and experienced" successor within the IRGC.
"I assure the noble and enemy-aware nation of Islamic Iran, the fallen comrades of martyr Pakpour and the brave sons of the IRGC will, Allah willing, avenge the blood of these dear martyrs until a complete and instructive defeat is imposed on the vile enemies of dear Iran," Naeini said.
"The enemy should expect continuous and instructive attacks. The gates of hell will open moment by moment, more and more, on America and Israel," he added.
Naeini said provincial and combat unit commanders were fully self-reliant at the operational and tactical levels in their respective geographic areas. "There is no concern," he said.
Iran's army said Tuesday its forces launched attacks on Israel and the U.S. military base at Al-Udeid in Qatar and Bahrain.
"The destructive combat drones of the army's ground, air, and naval forces targeted the military areas of the Zionist regime in the occupied territories and the bases of American forces in Al-Udeid, Qatar," the army said in a statement carried by Iranian media.
Iran's foreign ministry warned European countries against joining the conflict after Germany, Britain and France said they could take "defensive action" to destroy Iran's missile-launching capabilities.
"It would be an act of war. Any such act against Iran would be regarded as complicity with the aggressors. It would be regarded as an act of war against Iran," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said at a press briefing.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said overnight airstrikes on Tehran targeted state institutions, including the presidential compound and the Supreme National Security Council building, which were hit with multiple munitions.
He said a training facility for Iranian officers and other infrastructure were also struck.
Katz threatened that the attacks would continue "as long as necessary," saying the aim was to eliminate Iran's capabilities, protect Israeli and U.S. military presence in the region, prevent Iran's nuclear weapon and missile production efforts and "create conditions" for the Iranian people to "rise up and topple the regime."
He also signaled that intensive strikes on Lebanon would follow after Iran.
The U.S. Department of State ordered non-emergency personnel at U.S. missions in Kuwait, Iraq, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Jordan to leave, citing a "threat of armed conflict" and "security concerns."
The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait said it would be closed "until further notice," canceling all regular and emergency consular appointments.
In Iraq, U.S. government personnel in Baghdad were prohibited from using Baghdad International Airport due to security concerns.
The U.S. Embassy in Israel said it was "not in a position at this time to evacuate or directly assist Americans in departing Israel" due to the security situation throughout the region. It noted that Israel's Ministry of Tourism had begun operating shuttles to the Taba Border Crossing as of March 2.
The embassy stressed it could not ensure the safety of those choosing to use the shuttles and could not provide a recommendation for or against using them.
"Passengers who wish to cross to Jordan may take the shuttle to Eilat and continue independently (by taxi) to the Yitzhak Rabin Border Crossing," the embassy added.
The department urged U.S. citizens in the affected countries to monitor local media and official U.S. alerts.
The U.S.-Israeli military campaign launched against Iran on Saturday killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several senior officials.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and regional countries hosting U.S. assets.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
