The former commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that Israel might attempt a limited attack on Iran but that its archenemy lacks the heft for a big operation.
The remarks appeared aimed at bolstering domestic morale after the Islamic Republic's armed allies in the region have been dealt heavy military blows by Israel in recent weeks.
“Israel is too small to be able to attack Iran,” Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari told reporters on Tuesday. "Israel may carry out a limited and small attack to just say that it has responded. However, it definitely cannot have an attack that is on a par with Iran's Operation True Promise 2."
Jafari was referring to the IRGC's missile barrage against Israel on October 1, which came in response to Israel's likely assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.
"If it carries out a significant and notable action, it will certainly see a response several times bigger," Jafari added.
This warning follows Hezbollah’s recent drone strike targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence, escalating calls in Israel for a stronger reaction against Tehran. Channel 11 cited an Israeli official saying that the country is preparing for a very significant strike on Iran, indicating heightened military readiness.
In a show of support, the United States has authorized the deployment of a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery to Israel aimed at bolstering defenses against potential missile threats.
A military source linked to the IRGC was quoted by the Tasnim news agency affiliated with the Guards that any attack on Iran's nuclear sites would prompt a decisive response from Tehran.
"If the attack only targets Iran's military positions, Tehran's response will be both certain and beyond the Zionists estimates." Tasnim quoted the source saying. "Iran is certainly not committed to maintaining the previous scope, type, or intensity of its response" if its infrastructure is affected.
In response to the escalating situation, US President Joe Biden on Friday said he was aware of the nature and timing of planned Israeli actions against Iran but declined to elaborate.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi cautioned that anyone aware of an Israeli attack's timing and manner must be held accountable, in apparent reference to regional states.
On October 1, Tehran fired over 180 ballistic missiles at Israel, labeling the attack as retaliation for the recent assassinations of Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah and IRGC General Abbas Nilforoushan in Lebanon.