ByJAMES GENN

Iranian military chief Maj.-Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi claimed that Israel plotted the Bondi Beach terror attack last week as a "false flag" in order to build sympathy as "victims of antisemitism" during a speech at a military ceremony on Sunday.

The "Zionist regime... assassinated the Jewish community and its dependents in other countries to make them look like victims," Mousavi accused. "This is not their first time, and they have committed such crimes many times."

"In the last few days, the Zionist regime has committed suicide to prevent reverse migration, to save itself from internal turmoil, and to instill antisemitism," he added.

Mousavi also alleged that the time since the Israel-Hamas War began has "proven to the world the criminal nature of the US and Zionist regime," adding that "Our enemies are treaty-breakers, warmongers, and deceivers, and do not adhere to any international law or humanitarian norms."

The ink on a memorial message sheet bleeds after rainfall as people lay flowers and pay tribute to honour the victims of a mass shooting during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on December 14, in Sydney, Australia, December 20, 2025.
The ink on a memorial message sheet bleeds after rainfall as people lay flowers and pay tribute to honour the victims of a mass shooting during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on December 14, in Sydney, Australia, December 20, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Audrey Richardson)

The military chief, in a separate statement on Sunday, also referred to Iran's need to enhance its air defense capabilities, stating that this is one of the country's priorities, state media outlet IRNA reported.

Report: Iran conducts missile tests in cities across country as Israel warns of renewed threat

The Islamic Republic began conducting missile tests in different cities on Monday, Iranian state media reported, citing unnamed sources and witnesses.

Nournews reported that launches took place in Tehran, Isfahan, Khorramabad, and Mashhad.

Israel warned the United States that a missile exercise by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) could be used as a screen to prepare a possible missile strike against the country, Axios reported on Sunday.

"The chances for an Iranian attack are less than 50%, but nobody is willing to take the risk and just say it is only an exercise," an Israeli source said, according to the report.

Axios cited three Israeli and US sources with knowledge on the issue, assuring that the Israeli government has "lowered the tolerance bar after the October 7 attacks and will not allow any type of threats."

Shoshana Baker, Tobias Holcman, and Reuters contributed to this report.