Iran warns Israel of 'larger-scale' attack on all infrastructure if provoked further

Iran's armed forces joint chief of staff, General Mohammad Bagheri, has threatened to repeat missile strikes on Israel with "multiplied intensity" if the Israeli regime retaliates against Iranian territory.

The warning came after Iran launched a missile salvo on Israeli military installations in response to what it described as Israel’s "continuous crimes."

He stated, "The last two months were two very difficult months for the Iranian nation and the Axis of Resistance," referencing Israel's assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and the West's demands for Iran to exercise restraint in an effort to establish a ceasefire in Gaza.

He further added that the criminal Zionist regime increased its crimes with the support and the green light of the United States.

Mohammad Bagheri stated that Iran’s missile operation had successfully hit key military sites, including Mossad headquarters, Nevatim Airbase, and Hatzerim Airbase.

He emphasised that while the IRGC strike targeted military assets, "the economic and industrial infrastructure of the regime was not targeted, their people were not targeted, while this was completely possible."

"If the Zionist regime, which has reached (the level of) madness, is not controlled by the United States and Europe and wants to continue such crimes or take action against our sovereignty and territorial integrity, tonight's operation will be repeated on a much larger scale and all their infrastructures will be hit," Mohammad Bagheri warned.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed that 90% of the missiles launched in the attack successfully hit their targets. Mohammad Bagheri warned that if Israel continues its crimes, Iran would escalate the situation, expanding the scale of its operations.

In reponse to the Iranian strikes Israel had vowed to retaliate, with army spokesman saying it would respond at the time and place of its choosing.

"This attack will have consequences. We have plans, and we will operate at the place and time we decide," said Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari.

The IDF said around 200 missiles had been launched towards Israel before concluding that very few citizens had been injured in the attack, with multiple missiles intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome defence system.

World leaders have meanwhile urged Iran and Israel to step back from the brink after Iran's launch of missiles. 

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the "broadening conflict in the Middle East".

As Israel's conflict with Hezbollah broadening alongside its ongoing war with Palestinian Hamas militants in Gaza, Guterres slammed "escalation after escalation" in the region.

"This must stop. We absolutely need a ceasefire."

As the attack unfolded, President Joe Biden ordered the US military to "aid Israel's defence against Iranian attacks and shoot down missiles that are targeting Israel", a White House statement said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the attack was "totally unacceptable" and should be condemned by the entire world".