Israeli PM Netanyahu pledges to devastate any attackers

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday pledged to deal a "devastating blow" to any enemy who would seek to attack his country.

Speaking in Jerusalem, Netanyahu accused Iran of trying to control the Middle East under the guise of Islamic radicalism.

The comments came hours after Iran struck back at the United States for killing Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander Qassem Soleimani by firing a series of ballistic missiles at two military bases in Iraq which house American troops.

A former Revolutionary Guard leader then suggested the Israeli city of Haifa and others could be targeted should the US attack Iran.

The US embassy in Israel has issued a warning to Americans to stay alert "in the event of mortar or rocket fire."

Israel, a key US ally and long-time foe to Iran, has kept a low profile since Soleimani's killing.

Netanyahu spoke at an event celebrating last year's decision by the Trump administration to not treat Jewish settlements in the West Bank as illegal under international law – and vowed not to uproot any such settlements.