WATCH: Iran threatens Israel, "They will receive a hard slap"

Two days ago, Trump told NBC News that if Iran didn’t negotiate a new nuclear deal, it would face severe consequences, stating, “If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing. It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.”

He also hinted at secondary tariffs, a tactic from his first term (2017–2021), giving Iran “a couple of weeks” to respond before deciding on economic measures. This came after Iran rejected direct talks on March 27, responding via Oman to Trump’s earlier letter urging negotiations, citing U.S. “maximum pressure” and military threats as reasons for refusal. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called Trump’s approach “bullying,” while Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned on March 31 that any U.S. or Israeli “mischief” would meet a “strong reciprocal blow.”

Iran’s Threat to Israel

In response to Trump’s rhetoric, Iran issued a direct threat to Israel. Iran warned of a “teeth-breaking response” or turning the region into “hell” for Israel if provoked). A Reuters report yesterday confirms Khamenei’s statement: “If they commit any mischief, they will surely receive a strong reciprocal blow,” interpreted as aimed at both the U.S. and Israel, its key ally.

On March 20, an X post claimed Iran threatened a “True Promise 3” operatio, —possibly involving ballistic missiles like the Khorramshahr, targeting Tel Aviv if Trump hit Iranian assets, though no official confirmation backs this.

Context and Background

Iran-Israel Tensions: Iran and Israel have traded direct strikes since April 2024, with Israel bombing Iranian military sites on October 26, 2024, weakening Tehran’s air defenses.Iran’s support for proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas, both enemies of Israel, fuels this enmity.

Israel’s recent successes against these groups and the fall of Syria’s Assad regime in December 2024 have left Iran vulnerable but defiant.

Trump’s Policy: Trump’s reimposed “maximum pressure” campaign, started in February 2025, aims to choke Iran’s economy and force nuclear talks. His March 30 threat builds on prior warnings, like one on March 17 tying Houthi attacks in Yemen to Iran, promising “great force” in response.Iran’s Capabilities: Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal, including the Khorramshahr (range ~2,000 km), could reach Israel. Its uranium enrichment, at 60% purity per the IAEA (February 2025), nears weapons-grade (90%), raising fears of a nuclear breakout if cornered.

What Iran’s Threat Means

Iran’s warning to Israel likely serves as both deterrence and a signal to the U.S., given Trump’s close ties with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. Khamenei’s remarks imply readiness for retaliation, though past direct attacks (e.g., April 2024’s 300 drones/missiles) caused minimal damage due to U.S.-Israeli defenses. Still, Iran’s rhetoric confirms its view of Israel as a frontline target in any U.S.-led escalation.

Israel’s military is on alert, with systems like Arrow primed after overnight strikes on Hezbollah in Beirut (March 31–April 1). Iran’s threat aligns with its pattern of vowing retaliation while avoiding all-out war, constrained by its weakened regional position after losses in Syria and Lebanon.