Iran responds after Israel threatens to deliver a killing blow

"Threatening another country is a serious violation of international law and the United Nations Charter," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said at a press conference on February 17 about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent statement.

A day earlier, Prime Minister Netanyahu said Israel and the United States were determined to stop Iran's nuclear ambitions and influence in the Middle East. The statement came after Netanyahu met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jerusalem.

"Over the past 16 months, Israel has delivered a powerful blow to Iran's axis of terror. Under the strong leadership of President (Donald) Trump, I am certain that we can and will finish the job," Netanyahu said.

During that time, Israel fought pro-Iranian groups including Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthi in Yemen. These groups are members of the "Axis of Resistance" against Israel in a show of solidarity with the Palestinians.

For his part, the US Secretary of State declared that he would not let Iran become a nuclear state. Mr. Rubio accused Iran of supporting armed groups, violent acts, causing instability and acts that threaten the peace and stability of millions of people in the region.

In a statement on February 17, spokesman Baqaei said Iran has defended its nuclear program and will not hesitate to continue doing so. Iran has long said its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only.

"Iran's peaceful nuclear program is ongoing and has been for three decades, based on Iran's rights as a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. We will certainly not show any weakness in this regard," the spokesman said, stressing that Israel would not be able to do anything against Iran.

US media recently reported that US intelligence agencies under the Trump administration and his predecessor Joe Biden have assessed that Israel is capable of attacking Iran's nuclear facilities this year.