Iran says it will respond at 'maximum level' if Israel acts against its interests

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian speaks next to his Sri Lankan counterpart Ali Sabry following a bilateral meeting during his visit in Colombo, Sri Lanka February 20,2024. /Dinuka Liyanawatte/File Photo

WASHINGTON - Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said on Friday that Iran will respond at an immediate and "maximum level" if Israel acts against its interests.

"If Israel wants to do another adventurism and acts against the interests of Iran, our next response will be immediate and will be at the maximum level," Amirabdollahian said, speaking through a translator, in an interview with NBC News.

His comments follow reports of an Israeli strike on Iran early Friday.

(Reporting by Jasper Ward)