Israeli prime minister threatens Iran with ‘very severe response’ in case of attack

By Zein Khalil and Rania Abu Shamala

JERUSALEM/ ISTANBUL (AA) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened Iran with “a very severe response” if it carries out any military attack against Tel Aviv.

The threat was made during a press conference Netanyahu held on Monday evening in Jerusalem with Greek Cypriot Administration leader Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

“Any action against Israel will be met with a very severe response,” Netanyahu said.

Tension has escalated between Israel and Iran in recent days amid Israeli accusations for Tehran of accelerating the production of ballistic missiles.

Israel launched a surprise attack on Tehran on June 13, targeting military, nuclear and civilian sites as well as senior military commanders and nuclear scientists.

Tehran launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes, while the US bombed three Iranian nuclear sites. The 12-day conflict came to a halt under a US-sponsored ceasefire that took effect June 24.