Back to war
Iran Escalates Threats Against Israel: “We Will Turn Night Into Day”
In Palestine Square in Tehran, large signs were erected depicting missile strikes and bearing Hebrew text reading, “We will turn your night into day.” The displays come as Iran conducts military exercises and as Israel raises concerns about the possibility of another round of confrontation.
Amid growing tensions between Israel and Iran, Iranian officials and state-linked groups have intensified public threats against Israel, displaying banners in Tehran warning of a missile attack.
In Palestine Square in Tehran, large signs were erected depicting missile strikes and bearing Hebrew text reading, “We will turn your night into day.” The displays come as Iran conducts military exercises and as Israel raises concerns about the possibility of another round of confrontation.
Despite Israeli alarm, officials in the United States have sought to play down the immediacy of the threat. According to a report citing American assessments, Washington currently believes Iran does not have a strong interest in launching a direct ballistic confrontation in the near term.
The assessment reportedly reflects an understanding within the Trump administration that Tehran is attempting to project deterrence rather than initiate a full-scale conflict. At the same time, US officials are said to recognize Israeli anxiety about a potential surprise attack, shaped in part by the shock of Hamas’s October 7 assault.
While the United States and Israel are aligned in their concerns regarding Iranian intentions, there are differences between the two allies over timing and the likelihood of escalation.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was asked Monday evening whether Israel should be worried about Iran’s recent actions.
“We know that Iran has been conducting exercises recently,” Netanyahu said. “We are monitoring this closely and making the necessary preparations.”
Netanyahu also issued a warning to Tehran, saying any hostile move would be met with a severe response.
“I want to send a clear message to Iran,” he said. “Any action against Israel will be answered with a very harsh response.”
The threats displayed in Tehran underscore the ongoing war of messaging between the two countries, even as both sides signal that they are closely watching each other’s next moves.