Netanyahu warns Iran of ‘far more powerful’ response to any future attack on Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday warned Iran against targeting Israel, saying any future attack would trigger a much stronger response from the Jewish state amid escalating tensions across West Asia.

Speaking at a conference in the Negev city of Dimona, Netanyahu said Israel was prepared for all contingencies as Iran launched attacks against US allies in the region, including neighboring Jordan.

“We are prepared for every scenario,” Times of Israel quoted Netanyahu as saying.

Issuing a direct warning to Iran's leadership, Netanyahu stressed that Tehran should not expect Israel to react in the same manner as it had in previous confrontations.

“I have one message for Iran’s leaders: Do not count on there being calm if you attack us,” he said.

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“Do not expect a repeat of what happened before, because there will be no repeat. The previous response was powerful enough, but any further attempt to harm us will be met with a different response — far more powerful,” he added.

The remarks come amid heightened regional tensions following a series of military exchanges between Israel and Iran.

On June 8, Israel carried out strikes on Iranian petrochemical facilities in southwest Iran in retaliation for Iranian missile attacks on Israeli territory.

Netanyahu said Israel had demonstrated its willingness to impose costs on its adversaries and would continue to respond forcefully to threats.

“The days when someone can attack us without paying a heavy price are over,” said Netanyahu.

“We proved that in confronting Iran’s axis of evil, and we will continue to act decisively against anyone who harms us. That is how we have acted, and that is how we will continue to act,” he added.

Israel was prepared for a much larger wave of strikes on Iran before President Donald Trump downplayed Iran’s ballistic missile attacks on Israel and imposed a ceasefire.

With inputs from agencies