Netanyahu to Iran: "Don’t Count on a Replay — The Response Will Be Far More Forceful"

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a sharp warning to Iran’s leaders on Tuesday, making clear that any attack on Israel would be met with a far more forceful response than in the past. He made the remarks at the Negev Conference in Dimona, amid escalating tensions with Tehran and threats from senior Iranian officials.

Netanyahu stressed that Israel is prepared for any scenario and sent a direct message to the Iranian leadership: “We are prepared for any scenario. I can tell you only one thing, and I say it to the leaders of Iran: Do not expect quiet if you attack us. Do not expect a repeat of what happened before, because it will not be a repeat, and that response was forceful enough. This time, the response will be different and far more forceful.”

The prime minister added that Israel’s policy of retaliation has changed dramatically: “The days when someone could strike us without being hit back twice as hard are over. We did this to the Iranian axis of evil, and we will continue to do so to anyone who harms us. That is what we do.”

Earlier at the same conference, Netanyahu also addressed the development of the Negev and the rebuilding of communities in the region. He said his goal is to eliminate the concept of a periphery in Israel: “The vision is being implemented. We are moving forward and turning it into reality.”

He added: “This region is growing faster than anywhere else in the country. To all the skeptics who asked, ‘What will happen? We will not be able to rebuild. You abandoned us. You left us,’ the exact opposite is happening. The number of residents in the area today is greater than it was on the eve of the terrorist attack.”

Netanyahu’s remarks came after figures in the Iranian regime threatened earlier on Tuesday to respond severely if U.S. President Donald Trump carries out his threats to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities. A source in the Iranian regime told CNN: “If Trump carries out his threats, our response will be forceful and destructive. We will exact a price from American soldiers and all of his partners in the region.”