Iran threatens to 'raze Tel Aviv to ground,' Israel responds
What's the story
Tensions in the Middle East have reached a boiling point after a tit-for-tat exchange of threats between Iran and Israel.
The latest warning came from Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) General Ebrahim Jabbari, who vowed to destroy Israel as part of Operation True Promise 3.
"Operation True Promise 3 will be carried out at the right time, with precision, and on a scale sufficient to destroy Israel and raze Tel Aviv and Haifa to the ground," Jabbari warned.
Retaliation readiness
Israel responds to Iran's threats
In response to these threats, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said, "If the Jewish people have learned anything from history, it is this: if your enemy says his goal is to annihilate you - believe him. We are ready."
This is the third threat from top IRGC officials in a week. Brigadier General Ali Fadavi and Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh had also made similar statements pledging to destroy Israel as part of Operation True Promise 3.
Military preparations
Iran boosts missile production amid escalating tensions
The increased rhetoric comes with the IRGC simultaneously ramping up missile production.
Iran recently received a 1,000-ton shipment of rocket fuel precursor chemicals from China claimed a report published by The Jerusalem Post.
The IRGC also unveiled a new underground "missile city," an underground missile base "designed to target destroyers in strategic southern waters."
Strike advocacy
Former CIA veteran advocates for US-Israeli strike on Iran
Colin Winston, a former CIA veteran, believes now is the best time for a joint US-Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.
He argues that "Hezbollah and Hamas no longer pose a threat to Israel," and both Iran's and Syria's air defense systems have been destroyed.
Winston also claims Iran is on the verge of producing enough weapons-grade uranium to build multiple nuclear bombs, drastically shortening the timeline for a nuclear weapon.
War warning
Iran warns of 'all-out war' if nuclear facilities are attacked
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that any Israeli or American attack on Iran's nuclear facilities would lead to an "all-out war" in the region.
He said, "Launching a military attack on Iranian nuclear facilities would be one of the biggest historical mistakes the US could make."
This comes as reports suggest Israel might launch a preemptive strike on Iran's nuclear program by midyear.