DUBAI: Iran said that the United States would “be hit hard” if Washington did not implement a cease-fire in Gaza, the country’s Minister of Defense was quoted as saying by the semi-official Tasnim news agency on Sunday. “Our advice to the Americans is to immediately stop the war in Gaza and implement a cease-fire, otherwise they will be hit hard,” Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani said. After a surprise attack by Hamas against Israel on Oct. 7, the Israelis have sought to defeat the militant group. Iran considers the US to be “militarily-involved” in the conflict.