Iran warns Israel to "any foolish adventure"

Iranian Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics Ahmad Vahidi on Monday threatened that Israel would face "a severe and painful" response if it ventured attacking his country. Iran's response will be as severe as final blow that could lead Israel to total collapse, Vahidi said here in a joint press conference with Lebanese Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn. Dealing with the military ties with Lebanon, the Iranian military chief said, from the Iranian perspective, it's of vital importance to help the Lebanese army to stand beside Syria in "the frontline against the Jewish entity." The talks with Minister Ghosn showed that both Iran and Lebanon are opposed to any foreign intervention into the domestic affairs of Syria such as the elections in order not to weaken Syrian position in the face of the Israel threats, Vahidi pointed out. He accused the Western powers and Israel of fomenting the internal tensions in Syria, adding that Iran and Lebanon cannot leave Syria alone. The only viable way for settling the Syrian crisis is through backing up the ongoing reforms in addition to dialogue between the Syrian government and the groups inside, he added, hailing today's referendum on the new constitution. Meanwhile, Ghosn called for strengthening the bilateral ties notably in the defense area, welcoming Iran's offer to supply the Lebanese army with military supplies in order to enhance its preparedness.