Iran to ‘open the gates of hell' if US or Israel launch attack, IRGC chief warns

Hossein Salami's remarks follow threat from Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz

IRGC commander Maj Gen Hossein Salami has said Tehran is prepared for war 'at any level'. AFP

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Maj Gen Hossein Salami on Thursday warned that Tehran would "open the gates of hell" if attacked by the US or Israel.

"These are serious warnings to the Zionist and American authorities ... if you make the slightest mistake, we will open the gates of hell for you," Maj Gen Salami said in a video carried by the Tasnim news agency.

He also warned the US that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was attempting to drag it into an "unending war", echoing similar statements by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi days earlier.

The US has moved to increase economic pressure on Iran, announcing on Thursday that it would impose sanctions on the Chinese independent “teapot” refinery Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group and three oil terminal operators for their role in purchasing or enabling the delivery of hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian oil.

"Additionally, the United States is designating numerous firms, vessels and vessel captains involved in facilitating the transportation of Iranian oil to China as part of Iran’s 'shadow fleet', which funds Iran’s destabilising behaviour and support to terrorist proxies," the State Department said in a statement.

It is the latest independent Chinese refinery to become a target for the administration of US President Donald Trump, after it restored the "maximum pressure" policy from his first term. The initiative aims to cut off Iran's export revenue to force Tehran to agree on a deal to limit its nuclear programme and stop funding militant groups in the Middle East.

The move comes as nuclear talks between the US and Iran are set to continue. A new round of negotiations is expected to take place this weekend in Oman, emphasising Washington’s dual-track approach of diplomacy and economic pressure.

Maj Gen Salami said Iran was "prioritising diplomacy while staying prepared for war at any level". Tehran and Washington have so far held three rounds of nuclear talks, with further negotiations expected to be held in the coming days.

His remarks come after strong threats issued by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, who warned his country would act against Iran in the same way it did with its proxies in the region.

"What we have done to Hezbollah in Beirut, to Hamas in Gaza, to Assad in Damascus, we will do to you in Tehran," Mr Katz said, referring to deposed former Syrian president Bashar Al Assad.

Israel and Iran have intensified their war of words in recent days after a Houthi missile struck close to Ben Gurion Airport, near Tel Aviv. Israel responded by launching devastating strikes on Yemen's Sanaa airport and has accused Iran of supporting the rebel group.

Tehran has denied involvement in the airport attack.

“Undoubtedly, the Yemeni actions in support of the Palestinian people are independent decisions rooted in their human and Islamic solidarity with their Palestinian brothers and sisters,” Iran's Foreign Ministry said this week.

Last week, Iran accused the US of “contradictory behaviour and provocative statements” after Washington warned Tehran of consequences for continuing to back the Houthi rebels. the US also imposed new, oil-related sanctions on Iran.

The US and the Houthis have since reached a ceasefire agreement, mediator Oman announced. It said the deal would ensure "freedom of navigation" in the Red Sea, where the rebels have attacked shipping.

But the Houthis have vowed to continue launching attacks on Israel and Israeli ships in the sea. They said the ceasefire with the US does not include Israel.