Iran says it has identified targets to strike in case of Israeli attack

Iran’s foreign minister said his country has identified targets to strike in case Israel retaliates to an earlier missile strike by Iran on 1 October..

Iran’s Abbas Araghchi made the comments in a press interview early on Sunday, where he said "any attack on Iran is considered crossing red lines, and we will not let it go unanswered".

He added that any attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities will be met with a similar attack.

"Israel will receive a proportionate response to any attack" he said, noting that in its attack on Israel, Iran did not target any Israeli economic or civilian facilities, and only hit military targets.

The foreign minister did not specify what the targets would be, but also warned the US, calling them an "ally of the Zionists" and that in any large-scale war in the region, "America will be dragged into it".

Araghchi added that Israel is not able to "commit crimes in Gaza and Lebanon without the support of the United States" who he said provides all kinds of military support.

Earlier this week, US President Joe Biden said he has a good idea of when and how Israel is set to respond to Iran’s October 1 missile attack.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian also made a statement on Sunday, highlighting that Iran has suffered economically due to American sanctions.

"They have put us in a situation so that we cannot build Iran, but we will do so. They want our situation to get worse day by day" he said, adding that “Zionists talk about democracy human rights and democracy while they commit the most heinous acts".

In his speech, he said Israel has killed many more people over the last year compared to any other country in the region, adding there is a double standard as the US and Israel “accuse those who fight to liberate their land".

In recent days, Israeli media has carried reports that an Israeli response to Iran is set to happen in the coming days, citing unnamed Israeli officials.

Aragchi has repeatedly said that anyone who knows when and how Israel will respond to the Iranian attacks "will be held accountable".

"Anyone who knows or understands how and when Israel will attack Iran, or provides the means and support for such foolishness, will bear the responsibility for any potential human losses" Araghci wrote on X.

A report by the Israeli Kan broadcaster confirmed the reports, adding that "the political echelon" had decided on the targets.

"The targets are clear. Now it’s a matter of time" an Israeli source told Kan.

Araghchi warned the UN chief Antonio Guterres that Tehran is ready for a "decisive and regretful" response if Israel attacks his country.