Iran on Monday warned Israel “not to play with fire,” and threatened retaliation over Israel’s reported involvement in a weekend drone attack on a key defense facility in the city of Isfahan.
The site hit in Saturday’s strike was reportedly was a weapons production facility for Iran’s killer Shahed-136 drones, Channel 12 news reported Sunday. The unsourced report said the attack incorporated high-quality intelligence and technological ability.
Isfahan is also a known hub for Tehran’s missile industry and is where the Shahab medium-range missile — which has a range capable of hitting Israel — is assembled.
An unnamed Iranian official told the Al Jazeera network that it appeared Israel was behind the attack, although he claimed it was a failiure.
“The first indications point to Israeli involvement in the attack on Isfahan, but the investigation must continue,” he said.
His accusation follows a New York Times report on Sunday, citing senior United States intelligence officials, that said the strike was orchestrated by the Mossad intelligence agency and was carried out for Israeli security interests.
The Iranian official threatened that Tehran would seek revenge. “Israel knows very well that it will receive a response, as happened in the past.”
“Those who play with fire are the first to get burned if they decide to start a regional war,” the official said.
He also claimed that the strike was ultimately unsuccessful.
“[The Israelis] are using propaganda to cover up their failure,” the official claimed.