Israel not worthy of war preparations by Iran

The second-in-command of Iran's IRGC, Brigadier General Hossein Salami, told reporters on Friday that the Islamic Republic is preparing to militarily defend itself against world powers but Israel is not enough a threat to merit such preparations.

He said Tel Aviv actions can affect Iran’s response to the killing of an IRGC general by the Israeli regime during its latest airstrike on the Syrian section of Golan Heights.

On January 18, six members of the Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah, and Brigadier General Mohammad Ali Allahdadi, the IRGC general, lost their lives in an Israeli aerial assault on the Syrian section of Golan Heights. Hezbollah said 25-year-old Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of slain Hezbollah top commander, Imad Mughniyeh, was among those killed in the attack.

They were reportedly on a field reconnaissance mission in Quneitra when an Israeli military helicopter targeted their vehicle.

Salami further pointed to the resistance movement’s retaliatory attack on an Israeli convoy in northern occupied territories on Wednesday and said Hezbollah’s rapid reaction revealed its strong political will and firm determination to react to any operation against it.

“Special operations require complicated plans and a long time and when a retaliatory operation is conducted at such a speed, it shows the great power of the forces,” the IRGC commander added.

In a retaliatory attack on an Israeli convoy in northern occupied territories on Wednesday, Hezbollah killed two Israeli soldiers and destroyed at least nine military vehicles.

Following the attack, Hezbollah announced that the move was carried out in retaliation for a recent Israeli strike that left several top members of Hezbollah dead.

Israel said a 20-year-old sergeant and a 25-year-old captain were killed in the attack.