Iran Threatens Strike on Israel as US Talks Hang in Balance
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Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Commander-in-Chief of Iran's Army, said on Monday that Tehran is "fully ready" for another aerial strike, calling it a justified response to perceived Israeli aggression. He used the codename "True Promise" to describe Iran's direct attacks, echoing terminology previously employed during prior strikes.
The warning came just as U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited Israel to brief Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the status of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks.
Newsweek has reached out the State Department as well as the foreign ministries of Iran and Israel for comment.
Why It Matters
The threat of a third Iranian strike on Israel marks the potential for a significant escalation in a broader regional conflict, involving Iranian-aligned groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen amid Israel's war on Gaza following Hamas's October 7, 2023 attacks. Mousavi's remarks reflect mounting pressure on Iran's leadership to respond forcefully to Israel's military operations and Western sanctions.
The warning also comes as the U.S. continues to support Israel while maintaining negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program. The situation underscores the delicate balance between diplomacy and deterrence.
Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Army Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi speaks during a rally outside the former US embassy in the capital Tehran on November 4, 2019, to mark the 40th anniversary of the Iran hostage...
Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Army Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi speaks during a rally outside the former US embassy in the capital Tehran on November 4, 2019, to mark the 40th anniversary of the Iran hostage crisis. On November 4, 1979, less than nine months after the toppling of Iran's American-backed shah, students overran the embassy complex to demand the United States hand over the ousted ruler after he was admitted to a US hospital. MoreWhat to Know
Mousavi's warning follows what he described as "rhetoric" from Israeli leaders. He said their threats are meaningless and claimed they "lack the capacity to harm the greatness of Iran." He vowed that any escalation would bring "extraordinary challenges" to Israel and its allies.
The two previous operations dubbed "True Promise" involved mass missile and drone attacks. The first, on April 13, 2024, saw over 300 projectiles fired at Israeli military installations following the killing of two Iranian generals in Damascus. A second attack, on October 1 last year, launched roughly 200 missiles in response to assassinations of militant leaders tied to Hezbollah and Hamas.
Noem to Isreal
Meanwhile on Monday, Noem said she was personally dispatched by President Donald Trump to brief Netanyahu on the status of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations, as diplomatic efforts continue despite rising regional tensions.
"It was a very candid conversation," Noem said on Fox & Friends. "President Trump specifically sent me here to have a conversation with the prime minister about how those negotiations are going and how important it is that we stay united and let this process play out."
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem departs after placing a note at the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, in the Old City of Jerusalem, Sunday, May 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem departs after placing a note at the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, in the Old City of Jerusalem, Sunday, May 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool
Alex Brandon/AP Photo
'Something Good'
Her visit followed the conclusion of a fifth round of talks between U.S. and Iranian officials in Rome last week. Trump expressed optimism about the negotiations, saying, "We've had some very, very good talks with Iran," and adding that "something good" might be announced in the coming days.
What People Are Saying
Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Commander-in-Chief of Iran's Army: "If they [Israel] are in a rush to receive another True Promise operation, we are fully ready to deliver an appropriate strike — and collect on what they already owe us."
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem: "President Trump specifically sent me here to have a conversation with the prime minister about how those negotiations are going and how important it is that we stay united and let this process play out."
U.S. President Donald Trump: "We've had some very, very good talks with Iran."
What Happens Next
While Iran signals readiness for more military action, U.S. and Israeli officials say that sanctions, regional containment policies, and continued diplomatic engagement—set to resume in a sixth round of nuclear talks—are effectively constraining Tehran's strategic ambitions, though they warn that failure at the negotiating table could heighten the risk of escalation.
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