Iran stated that its missile attack on Israel was over unless there were further provocations, according to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Our action is concluded unless the Israeli regime decides to invite further retaliation. In that scenario, our response will be stronger and more powerful.
The US declared jointly with Israel that Iran would face “severe consequences” for Tuesday’s attack, which Israel said involved more than 180 ballistic missiles. The UN Security Council is also holding a meeting on the Middle East on Wednesday.
Israel resumed its bombardment of Beirut’s southern suburbs early Wednesday morning, launching at least a dozen airstrikes on targets it said belonged to Hezbollah. Tel Aviv issued new evacuation orders from the area, which has been largely deserted after days of heavy strikes.
The Iranian attack marked the largest ever military strike on Israel. No casualties were reported in Israel, but one person was killed in the West Bank.
Iran described the campaign as defensive and directed solely against Israeli military installations. Local media also reported that three Israeli military bases were targeted.
Israel activated an air defence system against the Iranian bombardment. Most of the missiles were intercepted “by Israel and a defensive coalition led by the United States,” Israeli Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari reported. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to retaliate.
“Iran made a big mistake tonight – and it will pay for it.”
However, Iran’s General Staff of the Armed Forces said any Israeli response would be met with “vast destruction” of Israeli infrastructure. The military also threatened to hit the regional assets of any Israeli ally involved in the conflict.
Iranian forces on Tuesday used Fattah hypersonic missiles for the first time, with 90 per cent successfully hitting their targets in Israel, the Revolutionary Guards said.
US Navy warships fired about a dozen interceptors at Iranian missiles heading toward Israel, according to the Pentagon. The UK said its forces played a role “in attempts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East”, without elaborating.
Global response
President Joe Biden expressed full US support for Israel and called Iran’s attack “ineffective.” Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party’s candidate for the US presidency, supported Biden’s position and said the US would not hesitate to defend its interests against Iran.
White House spokesman Jake Sullivan said at a briefing in Washington that the US would “work with Israel to make that the case,” meaning “severe consequences” for Iran.
French President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement that he strongly condemned Iran’s new attacks on Israel. Macron reiterated France’s demand that Hezbollah cease its actions against Israel and its population. He also wished that Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity be restored in strict compliance with the UN Security Council resolution.
Former Member of the European Parliament Jean-Luc Mélenchon criticised Netanyahu’s policy, saying he was plunging the region into a “total war.”
After Lebanon and Yemen, Netanyahu goes to war with Iran. This has been his plan for months with the various assassinations. France has no place in this escalation. Netanyahu is plunging the entire region into total war. He is exposing the population of Israel to the worst risks in its history. He has ruined peace and the right to life of millions of people. Now, the whole world is paying the price for his impunity. It is absolutely urgent to immediately stop the catastrophe that is unleashed.
Polish MEP Grzegorz Braun reposted Tomasz Sommer’s words about the nuclear threat in the Middle East:
“Iran is bombing Israel. What’s next. A nuclear bomb that Israel ‘doesn’t have’?”
Marco Tarquinio, Italian journalist and former editor of Avvenire, also urged to stop the escalation:
Immediate stop to the war escalation that is bloodying the Middle East. Never indulgence in terror practiced by anyone: Hamas, Hezbollah, Israeli apparatus. Netanyahu should stop the bombs on Gaza and withdraw his troops from Lebanon. Let the fire cease and let diplomacy take action.
