Iran on Friday issued a sharp warning to any nation considering stepping in to defend Israel amid escalating hostilities in the Middle East. The declaration came after Israel launched what it called its “greatest military operations in history” – Operation Rising Lion – targeting Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure.In response, Iran unleashed a barrage of ballistic missiles overnight on Friday and into early Saturday, targeting central Israeli cities including Tel Aviv. The explosions lit up the sky as air raid sirens blared across the country. While the Israeli military claimed it intercepted many of the missiles, it also acknowledged that some had made impact.An Iranian official told CNN, “Iran reserves the right – under international law – to respond decisively to this regime.” The official added, “Any country that attempts to defend the Israeli regime against Iran’s operations will, in turn, see its regional bases and positions become new targets.”Echoing that stance, Iran’s military posted on its official X account: “If you were silent during two years of Palestinian massacres and last night’s attack on Iran, don’t call for restraint now. Stay quiet.”The latest confrontation was triggered by Thursday night’s massive Israeli strike on Iran, which involved warplanes, drones, and assets allegedly pre-positioned inside Iranian territory. The Operation Rising Lion targeted ballistic missile sites, nuclear facilities, and military command centers. According to Iranian reports, several high-ranking nuclear scientists and top military commanders were killed.Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responded with a fiery address on Saturday, condemning the Israeli assault and promising consequences. “We will not permit them to evade consequences for this significant wrongdoing they have perpetrated,” he said in a message to the Iranian public.“Do not assume that they attacked and it’s finished. No, they initiated the actions and began the conflict,” he added, assuring that Iran’s military was fully prepared to respond.