Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman warned Iran that Israel would strike its capital if the Jewish state is attacked by the Islamic Republic.
“If Iran attacks Tel Aviv, Israel will strike Tehran and destroy any Iranian military facility in Syria that threatens Israel, at any cost,” Liberman said on Thursday in an interview with the Saudi outlet, Elaph, which operates out of London.
Liberman’s remarks were made against a backdrop of increased tensions in Syria as Israel was reported to have launched a strike on a Syrian airbase that led to the deaths of 7 members of the Iranian military. Israel has repeatedly expressed its security concerns about Iran setting up shop in the war-torn country, near Israel’s northern border.
At the same time, Liberman stressed that Israel has absolutely no intention to trigger a war but will still respond accordingly when under threat.
“Israel does not want war with anyone but it will not allow Iranian positions and bases to launch missiles from Syria,” he said. Liberman has also made it clear that Israel is prepared to take out any S-300 missile defense system in Syria, which could be provided by Russia in the near future.
The defense minister also shared his belief that the “current regime in Iran is in its last days.”
Liberman traveled to the US on Tuesday evening for meetings with senior US defense officials including Secretary of Defense James Mattis and National Security Adviser John Bolton. The discussions will reportedly cover matters related to Syria and Iran.
