Defense Minister Nasirzadeh Affirms Iran Will Retaliate US Or Israeli Attacks

JAKARTA - Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said on Sunday Iran would retaliate if the United States or Israel attacked.

Defense Minister Nasirzadeh's comments came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to retaliate against Iran after Tehran-backed Houthi militant groups fired missiles that landed near Israel's main airport.

"If this war begins by the US or the Zionist regime (Israel), Iran will target their interests, bases, and troops - wherever they are and whenever it is deemed necessary," Defense Minister Nasirzadeh told Iranian Government TV.

Iranian-backed Yemeni Houthi militants launched a missile that landed near Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday, the latest attack in a series of attacks, saying they acted as a form of solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

"The attack by the Houthis originated in Iran. Israel will respond to the Houthis attack on our main airport and, at the time and place we chose, against their Iranian terror leaders," PM Netanyahu said on social media platform X.

In line with Iran's official stance, Defense Minister Nasirzadeh said the Houthis acted on their own motivations.

Iran's sided Houthis are known to have launched missiles and drones into Israel in support of Hamas fighters.

On the other hand, the United States has been attacking the Houthi fort in Yemen since March 15, with President Donald Trump pledging to hold Iran accountable for any attacks carried out by the group.

Iran "has no hostility towards neighboring countries", but if an attack occurs, the US base located in the region will be considered a target by Tehran, Defense Minister Nasirzadeh stressed.

The minister's statement follows Iran, which on Sunday uncovered a new solid-fueled ballistic missile called "Qassem Bassir," with a range of 1,200 km (750 miles), Iranian state media reported.