Israel threatens to launch direct attack on Iran - further escalating conflict in the Middle East --Follows a suspected IDF strike that killed Iranian military generals in Syria | 10 April 2024 | Israel's foreign minister today declared his nation's armed forces would launch direct retaliatory strikes on Iran should the Islamic Republic carry out an attack against Israel - the latest step in escalating tensions in the Middle East. Writing in both his native Hebrew and Farsi, Israel Katz said on X: "If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will respond and attack in Iran." The blunt and threatening remark came after Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei early this morning reiterated a promise to "punish" an "evil" Israel following a suspected IDF strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria that killed 12 people, including two top generals, on April 1. Tehran held Israel responsible for the strike and immediately vowed to exact retribution. Khamenei also criticised the West, particularly the U.S. and Britain, for supporting Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza.