Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi speaking during celebrations marking the annual National Army Day in Tehran. EPA
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi speaking during celebrations marking the annual National Army Day in Tehran. EPA
Iranian armed forces personnel march during the ceremony. Wana (West Asia News Agency)
Iranian armed forces personnel march during the ceremony. Wana (West Asia News Agency)
Mr Raisi made a televised speech as talks stalled in Vienna over a deal to rein in Iran’s nuclear capabilities, which Tehran says are for energy and medical purposes. Reuters
Mr Raisi made a televised speech as talks stalled in Vienna over a deal to rein in Iran’s nuclear capabilities, which Tehran says are for energy and medical purposes. Reuters
Israel says it will not be bound by any Iran nuclear deal and could eventually take unilateral action against Iranian nuclear sites. Reuters
Israel says it will not be bound by any Iran nuclear deal and could eventually take unilateral action against Iranian nuclear sites. Reuters
Mr Raisi said Iran watches any move by Israel closely. Tehran supports anti-Israeli extremist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. AFP
Mr Raisi said Iran watches any move by Israel closely. Tehran supports anti-Israeli extremist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. AFP
Iran's military had managed to improve its capabilities, despite years of sanctions imposed on the country over its nuclear programme, Mr Raisi said. Reuters
Iran's military had managed to improve its capabilities, despite years of sanctions imposed on the country over its nuclear programme, Mr Raisi said. Reuters
Missiles on display at the military parade. AFP
Missiles on display at the military parade. AFP
Iran's combat drone the Kaman-22 was on display in Tehran. AFP
Iran's combat drone the Kaman-22 was on display in Tehran. AFP
Iranian fighter jets fly over the parade. AFP
Iranian fighter jets fly over the parade. AFP
Despite Tehran agreeing to reduce its nuclear stockpile in return for sanctions being eased, the 2015 deal has collapsed and Iran has expanded its nuclear work. Reuters
Despite Tehran agreeing to reduce its nuclear stockpile in return for sanctions being eased, the 2015 deal has collapsed and Iran has expanded its nuclear work. Reuters

MENA

Raisi threatens to strike at 'heart of Israel' if any action taken against Iran

Israeli leaders have said they could take unilateral action against Iranian nuclear sites

The National

April 18, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Iran will attack “the heart of Israel” if it makes the slightest move against Iranian interests, President Ebrahim Raisi told a military parade on Monday.

Mr Raisi spoke as talks stalled in Vienna over a deal to rein in Iran’s nuclear capabilities, which Tehran says are for energy and medical purposes.

“The Zionist regime, you should know that … if you take the slightest move against our nation, our armed forces will target the heart of the Zionist regime,” Mr Raisi said in a televised speech at a military parade to mark National Army Day.

Israel, widely believed to have the Middle East's only atomic arsenal, says it will not be bound by any Iran nuclear deal and could eventually take unilateral action against Iranian nuclear sites.

Mr Raisi said Iran watches any move by Israel “closely”.

Iran has not recognised Israel since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that ousted the pro-West monarchy and brought Islamists to power.

Tehran supports anti-Israeli extremist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

Iranian soldiers fire a missile in Baluchestan, near the shore of the Sea of Oman, during a military exercise on November 8, 2021. Iranian Army via AFP
Iranian soldiers fire a missile in Baluchestan, near the shore of the Sea of Oman, during a military exercise on November 8, 2021. Iranian Army via AFP
Iranian troops fire a Ghaidr missile during the second day of military exercise in the northern Sea of Oman, on November 8, 2021. Iranian Army via EPA
Iranian troops fire a Ghaidr missile during the second day of military exercise in the northern Sea of Oman, on November 8, 2021. Iranian Army via EPA
Iranian Army and Air Force personnel work on missile air-defence systems during an exercise at an undisclosed site in Iran on October 21, 2021, when the country began a nationwide air force drill. Iranian Army via EPA
Iranian Army and Air Force personnel work on missile air-defence systems during an exercise at an undisclosed site in Iran on October 21, 2021, when the country began a nationwide air force drill. Iranian Army via EPA
One week earlier, it had conducted a massive air defence exercise, state media reported. Iranian Army via EPA
One week earlier, it had conducted a massive air defence exercise, state media reported. Iranian Army via EPA
Iranian Air Force personnel work on air defence missiles during a nationwide drill on October 21, 2021. Iranian Army via AP
Iranian Air Force personnel work on air defence missiles during a nationwide drill on October 21, 2021. Iranian Army via AP
Iran holds a major air defence drill. In this image, made available on October 12, 2021, missiles are launched during a joint exercise between the Iranian Army and the country’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in the desert of central Iran. Iranian Army via EPA
Iran holds a major air defence drill. In this image, made available on October 12, 2021, missiles are launched during a joint exercise between the Iranian Army and the country’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in the desert of central Iran. Iranian Army via EPA

Iran's military had managed to improve its capabilities, despite years of sanctions imposed on the country over its nuclear programme, Mr Raisi said.

He said that Iran’s military power is a deterrent.

Monday’s parade featured jet fighters, helicopters, drones and air defence systems, plus tanks, missiles and naval vessels.

Israel has improved relations with some Arab countries, which has angered Iranian leaders.

Tehran blames Israel for the sabotage of its nuclear sites and the assassinations of its nuclear scientists.

In 2015, Iran and major world powers signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, under which Tehran would reduce its nuclear stockpile in return for sanctions being eased.

The deal collapsed four years ago when Donald Trump, US president at the time, withdrew his country and imposed tough sanctions on Iran. Talks in Vienna have been aimed reviving the JCPOA.

In the meantime, Iran has expanded its nuclear work. US intelligence agencies and nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency believe Iran had an organised military nuclear programme until 2003.

The%C2%A0specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20synchronous%20electric%20motors%20%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E646hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E830Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETwo-speed%20auto%20(rear%20axle)%3B%20single-speed%20auto%20(front)%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh552%2C311%3B%20Dh660%2C408%20(as%20tested)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics

 

While you're here
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
THE BIO

Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain

Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude

Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE

Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally

Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science

Company Profile

Name: JustClean

Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries

Launch year: 2016

Number of employees: 130

Sector: online laundry service

Funding: $12.9m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding

Results

Male 51kg Round 1

Dias Karmanov (KAZ) beat Mabrook Rasea (YEM) by points 2-1.

Male 54kg Round 1

Yelaman Sayassatov (KAZ) beat Chen Huang (TPE) TKO Round 1; Huynh Hoang Phi (VIE) beat Fahad Anakkayi (IND) RSC Round 2; ​​​​​​​Qais Al Jamal (JOR) beat Man Long Ng (MAC) by points 3-0; ​​​​​​​Ayad Albadr (IRQ) beat Yashar Yazdani (IRI) by points 2-1.

Male 57kg Round 1

Natthawat Suzikong (THA) beat Abdallah Ondash (LBN) by points 3-0; Almaz Sarsembekov (KAZ) beat Ahmed Al Jubainawi (IRQ) by points 2-1; Hamed Almatari (YEM) beat Nasser Al Rugheeb (KUW) by points 3-0; Zakaria El Jamari (UAE) beat Yu Xi Chen (TPE) by points 3-0.

Men 86kg Round 1

Ahmad Bahman (UAE) beat Mohammad Al Khatib (PAL) by points 2-1

​​​​​​​Men 63.5kg Round 1

Noureddin Samir (UAE) beat Polash Chakma (BAN) RSC Round 1.

Female 45kg quarter finals

Narges Mohammadpour (IRI) beat Yuen Wai Chan (HKG) by points.

Female 48kg quarter finals

Szi Ki Wong (HKG) beat Dimple Vaishnav (IND) RSC round 2; Thanawan Thongduang (THA) beat Nastaran Soori (IRI) by points; Shabnam Hussain Zada (AFG) beat Tzu Ching Lin (TPE) by points.

Female 57kg quarter finals

Nguyen Thi Nguyet (VIE) beat Anisha Shetty (IND) by points 2-1; Areeya Sahot (THA) beat Dana Al Mayyal (KUW) RSC Round 1; Sara Idriss (LBN) beat Ching Yee Tsang (HKG) by points 3-0.

Updated: April 18, 2022, 3:03 PM
IranIsrael