Iran Official Warns Israel of Retaliation Over Infrastructure Strikes

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, threatened a "response that will not spare Israel" following attacks on the country's infrastructure, according to Iranian state media reports on Friday. In a statement aired by official television, Zolghadr clarified that "any attack on infrastructure will be met with a response," emphasizing that Israel would not be immune from the repercussions. These threats come amidst escalating tensions, as US shelling has resulted in the deaths of 17 people and injuries to 93 others in Iran over two days, according to Ministry of Health figures. This occurred despite a prior memorandum of understanding between the parties aimed at halting the conflict. An Iranian official also noted that these strikes targeted the "vicinity" of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in the country's south, an area that had previously endured shelling during wartime. In a related context, former US President Donald Trump had announced on Wednesday the termination of the memorandum of understanding with Iran. Nevertheless, he later disclosed Iranian contacts with Washington seeking to finalize a deal, signaling the persistence of diplomatic communication channels despite the military confrontation.