Amid growing tensions with Iran, Israel ready for attacks on all fronts, Netanyahu says

By Ahmed Asmar

ANKARA (AA) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said the country's army is prepared to meet challenges from all fronts as tensions with Iran grow over a suspected attack by Tel Aviv on one of its consulates in Syria.

"We are in challenging times, we are in the midst of a war in Gaza that is continuing with full force," Netanyahu said in a speech addressing Israeli military pilots at an F-15 fighter jet base, according to the Times of Israel news website.

He added that the Israeli army is "preparing for challenges from other fronts," in reference to a possible attack by Iran.

F-15 jets are Israel's primary weapon of long-range strikes. Netanyahu's choice of the base for his speech appears to be a deliberate indication of the threat to target Iran.

"We set a simple principle: Anyone who hits us, we hit them," the Israeli premier said.

Tel Aviv is on high alert amid fears of a possible Iranian attack on Israeli targets after threats by Tehran to retaliate against the alleged Israeli strike on the Iranian Consulate in Damascus on April 1.

On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant that the US will "stand with Israel against any threats by Iran and its proxies."

US President Joe Biden reaffirmed earlier on Wednesday that Washington's commitment to Israel's security against threats from Iran and its proxies is "ironclad."

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had said Wednesday that Israel "will be punished" for the consulate attack.

He said the strike amounts to an attack on Iranian soil.

At least 13 people were killed in the attack, including seven Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military advisors, which Iranian authorities blamed on archrival Israel.