Defense Minister mocks Quds Force chief in Persian over threats to Israel

Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a sharp post in Persian targeting Iranian Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani, after Qaani repeatedly threatened Israel and demanded that it withdraw from Lebanon. Katz wrote on his official Persian-language account that Qaani has recently been issuing many threats, and added, "The image of a collaborator suited you much more than this ridiculous replacement for threats."

The post came after several days of escalating rhetoric from Qaani, who said Lebanon is a "field of steadfastness and resistance," not a playground, and warned that if IDF forces do not withdraw voluntarily, they will be forced to flee later in "humiliation and defeat." Katz responded that if Iran attacks Israel, it would be Iran's "biggest mistake so far," saying, "Here neither Hormuz nor shooting at the population will help them. Nothing will stop us." He ended by declaring, "Our forces are ready to complete the mission."

The Persian-language message was meant to reach Iran's leadership and the Persian-speaking public, reflecting Israel's policy of sending direct warnings to Tehran. The article notes that Qaani had been largely absent from public view since the war began, appearing mainly through written statements and posts, and only recently gave his first television interview in Iran, warning Israel and the United States: "Do not enter into conflict with the resistance front."

Qaani has led the Quds Force since the killing of Qassem Soleimani in January 2020, and is responsible for Iran's regional proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon. The article says the Quds Force serves as the logistical, economic, and military lifeline for those groups, and that both sides continue exchanging threats as tensions between Israel and Iran escalate.