Israel ‘can handle’ any threat from Iran, says military chief

Israel has said its military is prepared for any Iranian threat, following Monday’s attack on an Iranian consulate in Damascus.

Iran says seven Revolutionary Guard officers were killed in the attack, which Israel is largely believed to be behind. 

On Sunday, an Iranian official said that Israel’s embassies were “no longer safe” as it prepares a response. 

US and Israeli forces in the region have been put on high alert in anticipation of a possible attack.

US media reports suggest Iran could retaliate could happen in the coming days.

“The IDF [Israel Defence Forces] can handle Iran,” Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi said in a televised statement. “We can act forcefully against Iran in places near and far.”

Yahya Rahim Safavi, a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Iran had a “legal and legitimate right” to respond to Monday’s strike.

“The embassies of the Zionist regime are no longer safe,” he told Iran’s Isna news agency. He did not provide further detail as to what shape Iran’s response would take.