Iranian officials announced on Wednesday (October 2) that retaliatory missile attacks against Israel have come to an end. However, Israel and the White House have both stated that Iran must face “severe consequences” for its missile strikes on Israel.
According to Axios, a US news website, on October 2, Israeli officials indicated that Israel would launch a “significant retaliatory operation” within the next few days, possibly targeting Iran’s oil production facilities and other strategic locations.
Despite calls for a ceasefire from the United Nations, the United States, and the European Union, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon continues.
On Wednesday, Israel once again bombed Hezbollah positions in the southern suburbs of Beirut, carrying out dozens of airstrikes against the Iran-backed radical group.
Israel has issued new evacuation orders for the conflict zone, turning the region into an almost deserted ghost town under the shadow of warfare.
Hezbollah claimed that on Wednesday morning, Israeli forces clashed with them in the town of Adaisseh in southern Lebanon and forced them to retreat.
Iran claimed that its Tuesday attacks on Israel were only aimed at military facilities, with three Israeli military bases being their targets.
According to Iran, the attack was in retaliation for Israel’s killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, responding to Israeli military actions against Hezbollah and IDF in Gaza.
“Unless the Israeli regime decides to invite further retaliation, our actions have concluded,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi posted on social media earlier on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed a massive retaliatory airstrike against Iran.
Netanyahu said during an emergency security cabinet meeting on Tuesday night, “Iran made a big mistake tonight— they will pay a price for it.”
Washington stated its intention to work closely with its ally Israel to ensure Iran faces “severe consequences” for the Tuesday attack.
The Pentagon said in a statement that US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in a call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday night, emphasized that Washington is “prepared” to defend its interests in the Middle East.
“We commend Minister (Gallant) for his efforts to coordinate defenses against nearly 200 ballistic missiles launched by Iran at Israel and pledge to remain closely connected,” Austin posted on social media platform X.
Israel’s military reported that Iran fired over 180 ballistic missiles in this airstrike, double the scale of actions in a similar operation in April.
The Pentagon disclosed that US Navy warships fired about 12 missiles to intercept Iran’s missiles targeting Israel. Britain also stated that its military played a role in “preventing further escalation in the Middle East,” without providing detailed explanations.
Israeli military spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, released a video on social media platform X. He stated that Israel activated its air defense systems against the Iranian airstrikes on Tuesday, with most of Iran’s missiles intercepted by the “defense alliance led by Israel and the US.”
He added, “Iran’s attack is a severe and dangerous escalation.”
“We will take action, and Iran will soon suffer the consequences of their actions,” Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon told reporters, promising a response that “will make the enemy suffer.”
Iran Revolutionary Guards claimed that they used Fattah hypersonic missiles for the first time on Tuesday, with 90% of the missiles successfully hitting Israeli targets.
Iran’s Armed Forces Joint Staff Headquarters stated on state media that any Israeli response would result in “vast destruction” of their infrastructure.
Iran also warned that if any of Israel’s allies get involved, their regional assets would become targets of attack.
US President Joe Biden expressed full support for Israel’s self-defense, labeling Iran’s attacks as “ineffective.”
Vice President Kamala Harris supported Biden’s stance, asserting that the US would not hesitate to defend Israel against Iran’s aggression and safeguard its interests.
The White House vowed to hold Iran accountable for the missile attacks, with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stating during a briefing in Washington on Tuesday that the US would “work with Israel to make this a reality.”
French President Emmanuel Macron strongly condemned Iran’s latest attack on Israel in a statement and announced the mobilization of military resources in the Middle East on Wednesday to fulfill France’s security commitments to Israel.
(Report referenced from Reuters)