Iran warns Israel of ‘much larger response’ if there is retaliation
•Tehran had informed US its attack would be for self-defense •Israel: ‘Campaign not over yet’
Iran warned Israel and the US on Sunday of a “much larger response” if there is any retaliation for its mass drone and missile attack on Israeli territory, as Israel said “the campaign is not over yet.”
The threat of open warfare erupting between the arch Middle East foes and dragging in the US has put the region on edge as Washington said America did not seek conflict with Iran but would not hesitate to protect its forces and Israel.
Iran launched the attack over a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Syria on April 1 that killed top Revolutionary Guards commanders and followed months of clashes between Israel and Iran’s regional allies, triggered by the war in Gaza.
However, the attack from hundreds of missiles and drones, mostly launched from inside Iran, caused only modest damage in Israel as most were shot down with the help of the US, Britain and Jordan. An Air Force base in southern Israel was hit, but continued to operate as normal and a 7-year old child was seriously hurt by shrapnel. “We intercepted, we repelled, together we shall win,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on social media ahead of a meeting of the war Cabinet to discuss a response to the attack.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said despite thwarting the attack, the military campaign was not over and “we must be prepared for every scenario.”
US President Joe Biden has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “think carefully” about retaliating for Iran’s attacks, and Israel is not seeking to escalate the situation, a US official said. “The Israelis made clear to us they’re not looking for a significant escalation with Iran,” the official said, adding that Biden “made very clear to the prime minister that we do have to think carefully and strategically about the risks of escalation.”
Iran’s mission to the UN said its actions were aimed at punishing “Israeli crimes,” but that it now “deemed the matter concluded.” Iranian army chief of staff Mohammed Bagheri warned on television that “our response will be much larger than tonight’s military action if Israel retaliates against Iran.”
Some flights were suspended in countries across the region and share prices fell in stock markets in Israel and Gulf states. In Jerusalem on Sunday, Israelis described their fear during the atcaves
tack, when sirens wailed and the night sky was shaken by blasts, but differed on how the country should respond.
“I think we’ve been given license to respond now. I mean it was a major attack from Iran ... I imagine Israel will respond and may be over quickly and get back to normal life,” said Jeremy Smith, 60. In Iran, state television showed small gatherings in several cities celebrating the attack, but in private some Iranians were worried about Israel’s response.
“Iran gave Netanyahu a golden opportunity to attack our country. But we, the people of Iran, will bear the brunt of this conflict,” said Shima, a 29-year-old nurse, from Tehran.