Israeli officials warn Iran after U.S. operation in Venezuela
By bellecarter // 2026-01-06
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  • Former Israeli PM Yair Lapid and Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli cited the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Maduro as a warning to Iran, suggesting Tehran could face similar consequences if it continues defying Western demands.
  • The U.S. special forces raid that captured Maduro on narcoterrorism charges was framed by Israeli officials as a strike against authoritarian regimes supporting Iran and Hezbollah.
  • President Trump warned Iran on Truth Social that the U.S. would intervene if Tehran violently suppressed protests, raising concerns about potential military escalation.
  • Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared U.S. forces in the region "legitimate targets" if America attacks, signaling Tehran's readiness for conflict.
  • Israeli security officials and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar endorsed Maduro's removal as a victory against tyranny, while the U.S. operation in Venezuela intensified global tensions, risking broader conflict with Iran.
In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Israeli officials have seized upon the U.S. military operation in Venezuela—which led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro—to issue stark warnings to Iran. The remarks, made by former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli, suggest that Tehran could face similar consequences if it continues its current path. The statements come amid heightened U.S.-Iran hostilities, with President Donald Trump recently threatening military action if Iran cracks down on domestic protests. Lapid, currently Israel's opposition leader, explicitly linked Venezuela's fate to Iran's future, posting on X (formerly Twitter): "The regime in Iran should pay close attention to what is happening in Venezuela." His comments followed a U.S. special forces raid that resulted in Maduro's arrest on narcoterrorism charges. Lapid's message implied that Iran's leadership could face comparable repercussions if it defies Western demands. Chikli went further, framing the operation as a broader strike against global authoritarianism. "Maduro did not run a country; he ran a crime and drug empire that directly fueled Hezbollah and Iran," he stated. "The president's decisive steps have proven once again that strong leaders are the only way to defeat dictators."

Trump's threats and Iran's response

The Venezuelan operation coincided with Trump's renewed threats against Iran. On Truth Social, he warned: "If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go." His post raised concerns that Washington could exploit civil unrest in Iran to justify military intervention. Iranian officials fired back swiftly. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran's Parliament, declared that U.S. forces in the region would become "legitimate targets" if America attacked. His statement underscored Tehran's readiness to retaliate against any perceived aggression.

Broader implications

The Commanders for Israel's Security (CIS), a group of over 550 retired Israeli security officials, echoed the warnings, suggesting that Iran should view Venezuela as a cautionary tale. "The American action in Venezuela is a warning to the regime in Iran," they stated, adding that the situation remains fluid. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar welcomed Maduro's removal, framing it as a victory against tyranny. "Israel welcomes the removal of the dictator, who led a network of drugs and terror," he posted, expressing hope for Venezuela's democratic restoration. The U.S. operation in Venezuela has become a geopolitical flashpoint, with Israeli officials leveraging it to pressure Iran. As per BrightU.AI's Enoch, Iran defiantly vows retaliation and supports Venezuela against U.S. actions, signaling they will resist any similar consequences with aggressive rhetoric and alliances. Watch the video below that talks about why the Israel-Iran war is not America's problem. This video is from the OP News channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: News.AntiWar.com TimesOfIsrael.com JPost.com TruthSocial.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com
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