After Tehran’s drone and missile attacks, Iran has warned Israel of any further escalation leading to a larger attack on its territory. Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi said that any “reckless behaviour” from its allies would be dealt with a stronger response.
“If the Zionist regime [Israel] or its supporters demonstrate reckless behaviour, they will receive a decisive and much stronger response,” Raisi said in a statement on Sunday.
Echoing Raisi's statement, Iranian military chief, Major-General Mohammad Bagheri said that Israel awaits a "much larger response if it retaliates against Iran".
Bagheri said the Iranian attack on Israel “has achieved all its goals, and in our view, the operation has ended, and we do not intend to continue”.
Iran launched around 300 explosive drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday night. The airstrikes were the first direct attack on Israel by Iran. Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm Daniel Hagari said that almost 99 per cent of the launches had been intercepted, saying “the Iranian attack was foiled”.
Along with the US, the UK also stood by Israel’s side in shooting down the Iranian drones. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed that RAF jets shot down a “number of” attack drones after Iran’s launch of missiles.
“Iran’s attack last night was a dangerous and unnecessary escalation,” said Sunak.
Meanwhile, Iran’s permanent mission to the United Nations justified Tehran’s response to Israeli “aggression” as a “legitimate defence” under the UN charter.
“The matter can be deemed concluded. However, should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe,” said a statement.
It added that the US should “stay away” from the Israel-Iran conflict.
Iran summons UK, France and Germany ambassadors
Iran's foreign ministry has summoned the ambassadors of the UK, France, and Germany to question what it referred to as their "irresponsible stance" relating to Tehran's retaliatory strikes on Israel.
UK, Germany and France were among those countries which have condemned the drone and missile strike on Israel.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron expressed his solidarity with the Israeli people and reaffirmed its commitment to the security of Israel.
“I condemn in the strongest terms the unprecedented attack launched by Iran against Israel, which threatens to destabilise the region. I express my solidarity with the Israeli people and France's commitment to the security of Israel, our partners, and regional stability. France is working on de-escalation with its partners and calls for restraint,” Macron wrote on X.
The director for Western Europe at Iran's foreign ministry accused the UK, Germany and France of "double standards" as they opposed the Russian-drafted UN Security Council statement that would have condemned Israel's attack on Iran's embassy in Syria earlier this month.
Amid the deepening crisis, the United Arab Emirates has called for restraint to avoid dangerous repercussions in the Middle East, the foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday.
The UAE also called for resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomatic channels.
Russia’s foreign ministry, meanwhile, has expressed “extreme concern over another dangerous escalation” in the Middle East and also called for restraint after Iranian strikes on Israel.
However, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel’s defensive system is strong and is ready for any scenario. "In recent years, and especially in recent weeks, Israel has been preparing for a direct attack by Iran. Our defensive systems are deployed; we are ready for any scenario, both defensively and offensively. The State of Israel is strong. The IDF is strong. The public is strong," said Netanyahu.
With Iran’s retaliatory strikes, on one hand, Israel was able to instil confidence among Israelites that its defensive system is still intact, while on the other Iran was able to exhibit its fierce firepower and disrupt the lives of many Israelites and cause fear among them.
