Iran threatens to target military aid to Israel

Sunday 22 June 2025 - 08:01

By: Zahouani Ilham

Iran threatens to target military aid to Israel

Iran has warned it will target any military aid shipments sent to Israel amid the ongoing conflict between the two nations, now in its ninth day. A spokesperson for the Iranian army declared that any radar or military equipment sent by air or sea from any country to support Israel would be considered an act of aggression and would become a legitimate military target.

President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a warning of a "more devastating" response to Israel’s recent attacks and firmly rejected halting Tehran’s nuclear program. Meanwhile, Donald Trump gave Iran a two-week deadline to avoid potential American strikes.

Pezeshkian emphasized in a call with Emmanuel Macron that Iran’s retaliation would intensify if attacks continued. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar acknowledged that Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been delayed by two to three years but warned of a prolonged military campaign.

On June 13, Israel launched massive strikes against Iranian military and nuclear sites, targeting top officials and scientists. Although Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons, it defends its right to a peaceful nuclear program. Pezeshkian stated that Iran would not reduce its nuclear activities under any condition.

New strikes were exchanged on Saturday, with Israel announcing attacks in southern Iran and Iranian media reporting a hit on a military base near Tehran. The Israeli army claimed to have killed three senior commanders of the Revolutionary Guards, including Saïd Izadi, accused of coordinating with Hamas, Aminpour Joudaki, linked to drone strikes, and Behnam Chahriyari, alleged to have overseen arms transfers.

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that an Israeli strike hit a centrifuge workshop at the Isfahan nuclear site but reported no radioactive leaks.

Iran’s Health Ministry reported over 400 deaths and more than 3,000 injuries, mostly civilians. Human rights groups reported at least 657 deaths. Iran’s retaliatory strikes on Israel resulted in 25 deaths, while Iranian media cited 10 more killed in Israeli raids, including a teenager.

In Tehran, residents like Shahram described being wounded in explosions. The city resembled a lockdown, with most shops closed, internet access restricted, and armed patrols deployed. Security was tight along major roads, and armed men on motorcycles patrolled various neighborhoods.

In Israel, media reported that missile debris damaged a building in the center of the country, while a drone struck a home in Beit Shean. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards launched two waves of drone and missile attacks on Israeli military sites.

In Tel Aviv, residents expressed fear but also support for the offensive. One man, Omer, backed the strikes, citing Iran’s nuclear threat.

Following talks in Geneva, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated Tehran would not resume nuclear negotiations with Washington unless Israeli attacks stopped. Trump acknowledged that halting Israeli strikes would be difficult while Israel was “winning.”

The Houthi rebels in Yemen also threatened to target US ships in the Red Sea if Washington intervened in the conflict.

After speaking with Pezeshkian, Macron announced that European countries would speed up negotiations with Iran to end the war, emphasizing that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons.

The IAEA reported Iran has enriched uranium to 60%, close to the 90% needed for weapons-grade material, but found no evidence of a structured weapons program.

Israel, which remains ambiguous about its nuclear capabilities, is believed to possess around 90 nuclear warheads, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Saar also revealed a foiled Iranian plot to target Israelis in Cyprus, thanks to cooperation with local authorities. Cypriot police arrested a suspect linked to espionage and terrorism, reportedly connected to Iran.