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Iran has warned US that Israeli response would set off harsh retaliation — minister

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the statement as he spoke by phone with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi

© Sergey Karpukhin/TASS

DUBAI, April 16. /TASS/. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Tehran has warned Washington that any new Israeli attack would prompt a harsh and decisive retaliation.

The minister made the statement as he spoke by phone with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, according a statement by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, which was posted to Telegram.

"We communicated a clear warning to the White House that in the event of provocations and the repetition of terrorist attacks against Iran's security and interests, Tehran's response and subsequent actions will be decisive, immediate and of great magnitude," Abdollahian said.

According to the statement, the Iranian minister also told his Chinese counterpart about "diplomatic efforts and legitimate measures taken by the Iranian armed forces against the insolence of the Israeli regime and the attack on the Iranian embassy in Damascus."

Wang Yi said "China strongly condemned the strike on the Iranian diplomatic mission and believes that these actions violate and contradict international law."

"China and the Islamic Republic of Iran are strategic partners," he stated.

On the evening of April 13, Iran launched dozens of drones and missiles toward Israel in response to what it called "repeated crimes" by Tel Aviv, including the attack on the consular office of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus, for which it blamed Israel. Iranian government-owned news media reported that the strikes on Israel targeted military sites. The Israel Defense Forces said it intercepted 99% of the nearly 350 projectiles that were launched toward the country. Israel did not report any fatalities or serious injuries, saying only that minor damage had been caused to Nevatim Air Base.

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