Raisi threatens to strike at 'heart of Israel' if any action taken against Iran

Israeli leaders have said they could take unilateral action against Iranian nuclear sites

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  Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi speaking during celebrations marking the annual National Army Day in Tehran. EPA

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  Iranian armed forces personnel march during the ceremony. Wana (West Asia News Agency)

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  Mr Raisi made a televised speech as talks stalled in Vienna over a deal to rein in Iran’s nuclear capabilities, which Tehran says are for energy and medical purposes. Reuters

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  Israel says it will not be bound by any Iran nuclear deal and could eventually take unilateral action against Iranian nuclear sites. Reuters

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  Mr Raisi said Iran watches any move by Israel closely. Tehran supports anti-Israeli extremist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. AFP

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  Iran's military had managed to improve its capabilities, despite years of sanctions imposed on the country over its nuclear programme, Mr Raisi said. Reuters

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  Missiles on display at the military parade. AFP

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  Iran's combat drone the Kaman-22 was on display in Tehran. AFP

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  Iranian fighter jets fly over the parade. AFP

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  Despite Tehran agreeing to reduce its nuclear stockpile in return for sanctions being eased, the 2015 deal has collapsed and Iran has expanded its nuclear work. Reuters

Iran will attack “the heart of Israel” if it makes the slightest move against Iranian interests, President Ebrahim Raisi told a military parade on Monday.

Mr Raisi spoke as talks stalled in Vienna over a deal to rein in Iran’s nuclear capabilities, which Tehran says are for energy and medical purposes.

“The Zionist regime, you should know that … if you take the slightest move against our nation, our armed forces will target the heart of the Zionist regime,” Mr Raisi said in a televised speech at a military parade to mark National Army Day.

Israel, widely believed to have the Middle East's only atomic arsenal, says it will not be bound by any Iran nuclear deal and could eventually take unilateral action against Iranian nuclear sites.

Mr Raisi said Iran watches any move by Israel “closely”.

Iran has not recognised Israel since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that ousted the pro-West monarchy and brought Islamists to power.

Tehran supports anti-Israeli extremist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

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  Iranian soldiers fire a missile in Baluchestan, near the shore of the Sea of Oman, during a military exercise on November 8, 2021. Iranian Army via AFP

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  Iranian troops fire a Ghaidr missile during the second day of military exercise in the northern Sea of Oman, on November 8, 2021. Iranian Army via EPA

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  Iranian Army and Air Force personnel work on missile air-defence systems during an exercise at an undisclosed site in Iran on October 21, 2021, when the country began a nationwide air force drill. Iranian Army via EPA

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  One week earlier, it had conducted a massive air defence exercise, state media reported. Iranian Army via EPA

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  Iranian Air Force personnel work on air defence missiles during a nationwide drill on October 21, 2021. Iranian Army via AP

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  Iran holds a major air defence drill. In this image, made available on October 12, 2021, missiles are launched during a joint exercise between the Iranian Army and the country’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in the desert of central Iran. Iranian Army via EPA

Iran's military had managed to improve its capabilities, despite years of sanctions imposed on the country over its nuclear programme, Mr Raisi said.

He said that Iran’s military power is a deterrent.

Monday’s parade featured jet fighters, helicopters, drones and air defence systems, plus tanks, missiles and naval vessels.

Israel has improved relations with some Arab countries, which has angered Iranian leaders.

Tehran blames Israel for the sabotage of its nuclear sites and the assassinations of its nuclear scientists.

In 2015, Iran and major world powers signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, under which Tehran would reduce its nuclear stockpile in return for sanctions being eased.

The deal collapsed four years ago when Donald Trump, US president at the time, withdrew his country and imposed tough sanctions on Iran. Talks in Vienna have been aimed reviving the JCPOA.

In the meantime, Iran has expanded its nuclear work. US intelligence agencies and nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency believe Iran had an organised military nuclear programme until 2003.