JERUSALEM — Israel’s defense minister said in an interview published Thursday that his country will strike Tehran if attacked by archenemy Iran, escalating an already tense war of words between the two adversaries. “We hear many (Iranian) threats ... but if they attack Tel Aviv, we will strike Tehran,” Lieberman said. There has been a spike in hostile rhetoric between the bitter rivals since an airstrike on a military base in Syria that Iran and Russia blamed on Israel earlier this month. Israel views Iran as a serious threat due to its nuclear and missile programs, support of violent regional groups and frequent calls for the destruction of the Jewish state. Israel’s concern is that Iran and its Shiite proxies will turn their focus to attacks on Israel.

Source: Washington Post April 26, 2018 12:47 UTC