Asked to refrain from retaliation • The answer: “Have the right to defend ourselves”
Israel attacked Iran with over 100 fighter jets and unmanned drones, according to information provided to the New York Times.
From several quarters, Iran is being urged not to respond to the attack – but from the side of the regime, it is determined.
“Iran has the right and the obligation to defend itself against foreign acts of aggression,” the State Department said in a statement.
Israel struck several military targets during overnight attacks on Iran. Among other things, weapons factories and several bases in and near the capital, Tehran, were targeted.
The attack is said to be a response to Iran’s attacks on October 1.
“Have to pay a high price”
Israel is now warning Iran that a further attack will have serious consequences.
– If the regime in Iran should make the mistake of once again initiating an escalation of the conflict, we must respond, says Daniel Hagari, military spokesman for the Israeli army, in a statement.
– Our message is clear. Anyone who threatens the state of Israel and tries to drag the region into an even wider conflict will pay a high price.
Both from the USA and Great Britain, the tones have been similar.
At a summit later in the day, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized Israel’s right to defend itself, while expressing a desire for those involved to end their attacks.
– We must avoid the conflict in the region escalating and I urge everyone to exercise restraint, he said.
Several countries condemn Israel’s attacks
At the same time, several countries in the Middle East have condemned Israel’s attacks and Iran is determined to respond.
Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Iran “has the right and the obligation to defend itself against foreign acts of aggression”.
– I think we have shown that our determination to defend ourselves knows no bounds, says Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in an interview on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s official website.
At the same time, they play down the night’s attack and say they are not looking for any escalation in the conflict.
“Iran reserves the legal and legitimate right to respond at the appropriate time, but prioritizes achieving a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon,” the army’s general staff said in a statement read out on state television in the evening, according to AFP.
Today 19:13