Iran Warns of "Tooth-Breaking" Retaliation as US B-52 Bombers Arrive in Middle East Amid Tensions
Iran warns of "tooth-breaking" response as US deploys B-52 bombers to Middle East. Amid escalating violence, Israeli commandos seize Hezbollah operative, humanitarian crisis worsens in Gaza, and regional tensions intensify.
New Delhi: Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stern warning to the United States and Israel, promising a “tooth-breaking” response to their actions. The threat comes just days before the US presidential election and in the wake of an Israeli commando operation in Lebanon, raising fears of a broader conflict.
Khamenei's warning referenced Iran-aligned groups across the region, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, and other factions in Yemen and Syria. “The enemies, both the USA and the Zionist regime, should know that they will definitely receive a tooth-breaking response,” he stated.
Adding to the volatility, Kamal Kharrazi, a senior advisor to Khamenei, hinted at Iran’s nuclear potential, saying Iran might reconsider its nuclear policy in the face of an existential threat. “If an existential threat arises, Iran will modify its nuclear doctrine. We have the capability to build weapons and have no issue in this regard,” Kharrazi told Lebanese media.
The recent confrontation between Iran and Israel started with a missile strike from Iran on October 1, followed by an October 26 bombing campaign by Israel targeting Iranian military installations, which reportedly killed four Iranian soldiers. Israel claims these airstrikes have damaged Iran’s missile and air defense capabilities, though Iran has vowed to respond.
In a separate incident, Israeli naval commandos reportedly captured a Hezbollah operative in Batroun, Lebanon. The Israeli military stated that the senior operative, allegedly an expert undergoing maritime training, is now in Israeli custody for investigation. Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati has condemned the raid, instructing the foreign ministry to file a complaint with the United Nations, while both Lebanese forces and UN peacekeepers are investigating the incident.
The intensifying conflict has also led to severe humanitarian challenges in Gaza. A missile strike on a polio vaccination center in north Gaza injured six people, including four children, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called the attack on Sheikh Radwan health center “extremely concerning.” Meanwhile, Gaza's health ministry reports over 43,000 casualties since the hostilities began, although these figures are disputed by Israel.
In Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes have intensified, reportedly resulting in nearly 2,000 casualties and displacing thousands. Hezbollah has responded by launching rockets into Israeli territory, targeting sites near Haifa and Tel Aviv. In an effort to prevent further escalation, the US has deployed B-52 bombers to the region. A US official warned Iran that the US may be unable to prevent Israeli action in the event of another Iranian attack. "We told the Iranians: We won’t be able to hold Israel back," the official stated.
This surge in violence has heightened concerns globally, with diplomatic efforts underway to de-escalate the region and avoid a wider conflict involving Iran, Israel, and their allies.
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