Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi issued a stern warning to Israel late on April 18, cautioning that any mistake or aggression towards Iranian territory would be met with a severe response that would leave Israel and its allies regretting their actions.

Speaking at a crowded event in Shahroud, Raisi, on a tour of the country, said the Islamic Republic would respond with force if Israel made a mistake or retaliated following Iran’s rocket and drone barrage on April 16. Israel announced after the event that it shot down 99% of the projectiles from mainland Iran in the first ever Tehran-Tel Aviv direct attack.  

"The people of this land have stood firm against enemies after the revolution, heroically defending the homeland during the Sacred Defense and in defending the sanctuary," Raisi stated.

Addressing the nation's economic and industrial strides, Raisi underscored significant production improvements and reduced unemployment rates.

"We are nearing the peak, and the government will not tolerate fatigue or despair. We will remove obstacles for our people, producers, and industrialists," he said.

Referencing recent tensions, Raisi recalled the attack on the Iranian embassy, stating that such actions necessitated a punitive response from the great nation of Iran.

"If Israel errs, if it makes a mistake and seeks to make the slightest encroachment on Iranian soil, they should know that our response will make Israel and its supporters regret it," he warned.

Raisi advised against using forceful language with Iran in discussions with Western countries.

"The people of Iran are logical, and the era of bullying is over. We have never left and will not leave the negotiation table, but let the enemies know if they wish to speak to the Iranian nation with the language of force, we will stand against them with all our might," he declared.

Raisi concluded by addressing the country's defence capabilities, indicating a shift from previous policies.

"The time when they wanted to negotiate over Iran's missiles with JCPOA 1 and 2 has passed. In the thirteenth government, we will never allow anyone to negotiate over Iran's defence power," he stated firmly.

In a separate diplomatic message in the United Nations, the country’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said: "No government — I repeat — 'no government' would ever remain silent in the face of such a brazen and serious missile attack on its embassy, one of the symbols of its sovereignty, and also the massacre (and martyrdom) of its legitimate and diplomatic officials."

"The military attack by Iran on the 13th of April was completely necessary because Iran had no other choice; it was not initially aggressive but in response to a series of crimes and missile attacks by the Israeli regime on Iranian interests, especially our embassy in Syria."

Earlier on April 18, Iran’s Brigadier General Ahmad Haqtalab, Commander of Iran’s Nuclear Protection and Security Corps, said on April 18 that the country could quickly change its policy on having nuclear weapons if Israel hit its nuclear facilities.