Iranian students hold anti-Israeli placards and Iranian flags during a rally outside the former U.S. embassy in Tehran.   © Reuters / Caren Firouz

Tehran, November 12 (RHC)-- Any mistake Israel makes against Iran will only accelerate Tel Aviv’s destruction, the commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Aerospace Force has threatened.  He went on to say that while Tel Aviv may start an altercation with the Islamic Republic, it will be Iran that ends it.

"Should Israel make any mistake in its dealings with Tehran, Iran will only speed up its eradication," Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh warned.

Iran launched fresh military drills last month, deploying its army’s air force units, citing Tehran’s concerns over a “Zionist presence” near its borders.  The exercises involved both manned and unmanned aircraft.

In mid-October, Tel Aviv’s Foreign Minister Yair Lapid made the assertion that “Israel reserves the right to act at any given moment and in any way,” in reference to stopping Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.  Lapid went as far as to say that it is the state’s “responsibility,” since ”Iran has publicly stated it wants to wipe us out.”

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett issued a warning regarding Iran’s atomic program at the United Nations General Assembly in September, remarking that it is at a “critical point” and “one step short of weapons-grade material.”

Since then-President Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), known as the Iranian nuclear deal, and slapped sanctions on Tehran, Iran has started to enrich uranium beyond the terms of the deal.

President Biden has expressed interest in reviving the deal, but both Washington and Tehran want the other side to make the first move.   Negotiations are slated to resume in Vienna on November 29.