Iran Threatens To Bomb Israel, Dubai If US Retaliates Attacks On Military Bases In Iraq

Iran has threatened to bomb Israel and Dubai if the United States retaliates for its ballistic missile strike that slammed into an Iraqi airbase where US and coalition forces are based. Iran's Revolutionary Guard in a statement carried by Iran's state-run IRNA news agency said, “We are warning all American allies, who gave their bases to its terrorist army, that any territory that is the starting point of aggressive acts against Iran will be targeted.”

Guard also threatened to bomb Dubai and Haifa in Israel if US retaliates, Daily Mail reported.

The attack on military bases came hours after leader of Iran's Revolutionary Guard threatened on Tuesday to "set ablaze" places supported by the United States. Hossein Salami made the pledge before a crowd of thousands gathered in a central square in Kerman, the hometown of the slain Gen Qassem Soleimani.

Qasem Soleimani, the popular head of the Revolutionary Guards' foreign operations arm, was killed in a US drone strike outside Baghdad airport on Friday, ratcheting up tensions between the arch-foes.

Iran while defending the attack said, all the measures were taken in self-defence. Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said, “Iran took and concluded proportionate measures in self-defence under Article 51 of UN Charter targeting base from which cowardly armed attack against our citizens & senior officials were launched.” 

Zarif, however, said, “We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression.”

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said, 'all is well' while reacting to Iran’s ballistic missiles attack. Taking to Twitter hours after the attack, Trump said, “All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning (sic).”