Dangerous warning sent to Tehran; Lebanon burns; Trump: "Iran shot down our helicopter, we will respond" PHOTO

Reacting to Trump’s message, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the Strait of Hormuz is not part of international waters, but is jointly under the jurisdiction of Iran and Oman, and lies thousands of miles away from the United States.

He added that foreign military forces near Iranian territory represent a constant risk.

Araghchi also said that Iran prefers the “language of diplomacy,” but that the country’s military has shown it is also capable of “speaking other languages.”

Israeli Channel 12: Israelis deny Defense Minister Katz’s threats

Regarding Defense Minister Israel Katz’s threats that any attack by the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah on northern Israel would be met with strikes on Beirut’s Dahieh district, a Hezbollah stronghold, Israeli security officials are denying that such a policy has been formally adopted, according to Israeli Channel 12.

The report says Israeli officials stated that, aside from Katz’s remarks, there is currently no directive ordering strikes on Beirut in response to attacks on northern Israel, and that this is not part of Israel’s internal operational plans, The Times of Israel reports.

The report also says that IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir warned ministers during a closed cabinet session on Monday “not to accept new proposals,” after the renewal of the ceasefire with Iran—under U.S. pressure—halted a planned large-scale IDF operation.

When asked by Aryeh Deri, head of the ultra-Orthodox nationalist Shas party, whether it was worth risking tensions with Washington, Zamir reportedly replied: “No, but can we allow ourselves to be fired upon and be limited in our response,” Channel 12 reported.