If they carry out such an act, they will face severe and divine punishment, and they will undoubtedly be avenged," Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi wrote.

The Mossad message cautioned ordinary Iranians: “You may keep watching our content, but for your own safety, please avoid following the page or reacting to our posts.”

A source confirmed that account to Reuters but said there were serious questions about whether the Iranian officials were being truthful, and described the intercepts as unreliable indicators.