COUNTDOWN: 'All options on the table' – Israel weighs strike on Iran, Ayatollah regime says it is prepared
Gallant says Iran ‘has not touched Israeli Air Force capabilities
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant threatened the Iranian regime in a recent interview with Fox News.
During the interview with Fox News' chief foreign correspondent, Trey Yingst, on Sunday, Gallant said Israel is considering all available options in response to last week's Iranian missile attack.
“At the moment, everything is on the table,” Gallant stressed. “Israel will respond to the unprecedented Iranian attack in the manner of our choosing, and at the time and place of our choosing.”
Gallant’s comments appeared to run counter to the concerns of the U.S. government, which has sought to limit Israel’s response to the attack.
Last week, U.S. President Joe Biden told a group of reporters that he does not support an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Still, Gallant appeared to recognize the value of a coordinated effort between Israel and its main ally, saying he hoped the U.S. would continue to support Israel.
“It is important for us to hold discussions on strategic cooperation between our countries and defense cooperation in light of the threats posed by Iran and its proxies,” Gallant said. “We are powerful when we are aligned, and I want to make sure of it.”
The Biden administration is reportedly offering Israel a “compensation package” to refrain from striking certain targets in Iran, including nuclear sites and oil fields.
Meanwhile, the regime-affiliated Iranian Tasnim News Agency reported on Sunday that Iran is “fully ready” for any Israeli strike on its facilities.
The news agency cited “an informed source” who claimed that the Iranian regime already has "several types of reciprocal and specific strikes and depending on the type of action taken by the Zionists, an immediate decision will be made regarding the implementation of one or more of them.”
“Tehran has a list of many Israeli targets," the military source said, and that "the operation showed that we can destroy any point we want.”
Tasnim also announced that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei awarded the "Insignia of Victory" to General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps' (IRGC) Aerospace Force.
Hajizadeh received the award for his role in the Iranian missile attack, which the regime dubbed, “Operation True Promise.”
Despite Iran's apparent failure to damage Israeli military sites, the Iranian regime declared the operation a success.
On Sunday, during a visit to the Nevatim Air Force base, which Iran targeted during its attack, Gallant said the “Iranians have not even touched’ the IAF’s capabilities.”
He warned the Iranian leaders to look at Gaza and Beirut. “The IAF’s operations – both defensive and offensive, ensures the security of the citizens of Israel,” Gallant said.
“The Iranians have not even ‘touched’ the IAF’s capabilities- not a single squadron has been damaged, not a single aircraft has been damaged, there is not a single runway that is out of order and there is no disruption in our operations. Whoever thinks that by attempting to harm Israel, they will deter us from taking action, should take a look at [our operational achievements] in Gaza and in Beirut.”
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.