Israel on high alert as Iran threatens of military action if attacked

The Quds forces of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) on Thursday warned Israel against any offense targeting Iran, semi-official Fars news agency reported.

"If you (Israel) equip Iran with the excuses (to retaliate), Tel Aviv and Haifa will be destroyed totally," Ali Shirazi, the representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in the IRGC's Quds Unit, said here on Thursday.

He advised the Israeli officials "to observe their behavior and not to do foolish act" by attacking Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran on Wednesday "not to test Israel's resolve" amid escalating tensions in the region.

The Jerusalem Post quoted Netanyahu as saying, "Israel is not turning a blind eye to the dangers, and most of the time is not frightened by them. During the Holocaust, we were helpless, defenseless and voiceless. In truth, our voice was not heard at all. Today we have a strong country, a strong army, and our voice is heard among the nations, more than once at the head of the nations, because all know that Israel is the one true democracy in the Mideast.”

Israel's newspaper Haaretz said Israel is taking the Iranian threats very seriously: The northern border is on high alert amid concerns of a possible revenge attack by Iran or Hezbollah, as well as a possible U.S. strike against the Assad regime in retaliation to the chemical attack at Douma. 

The airstrike, which Iran, Syria, and Russia all blame on Israel, targeted Syria’s T-4 airbase near Homs. According to foreign media reports, the strike damaged various capabilities that the Iranians had begun to deploy at the base. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the strike.

Syria and Russia also issued statements denouncing the strike, and the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Israel’s ambassador in Moscow.

“I don’t know who attacked in Syria,” said Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman during a visit to the Golan Heights town of Katzrin on Tuesday morning. “But I know one thing for certain: We will not allow Iran to set up shop in Syria, regardless of the cost.”