Referring to recent launch of a barrage of missiles at Israel, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanaani has asserted that his country acted decisively and firmly against Israel under the UN charter pertaining to a state’s “right to legitimate defence” and protection of security and sovereignty.
Iran, on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, night, launched nearly 200 missiles directly at Israel, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) saying the attack was a response to Israel’s killing of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, as well as a top Iranian Commander.
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu vowed retribution, saying that Iran has made “a big mistake.”
In a lengthy post on social media on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 morning, Kanaani said that the Iranian armed forces had acted bravely.
“The Zionist regime and its supporters should know that the Islamic Republic of Iran acts decisively on what it says. It was proved that Iran’s long hands can reach any point it wants.
“The future of the region and West Asia will be drawn by the owners of the region and its authentic and rooted nations, not the rootless and identity-less invaders and aggressors.”
Nasser Kanaani
Separately, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi said that Tehran warned the United States against intervening following Iran’s missile strikes on Israel.
Araghchi added that the message was relayed through the Swiss embassy in Tehran.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden stated that the United States is “fully supportive” of Israel after the missile attack, adding that he would discuss a response later with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
Asked by reporters what the response towards Iran would be, Biden replied, “That’s in active discussion right now.”
Additionally, US Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin labelled Iran’s launching of nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel an “outrageous act of aggression.”
Austin praised US defence coordination with Israel in response to Iran’s missile attacks, as he held a phone call with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant.
He also extended his “deepest condolences” to the families affected by a shooting in Israel on Tuesday that killed at least four people and injured seven others, according to Israeli police.
Israel’s Opposition Leader Calls For Tough Response To Iranian Strike
Israeli opposition leader, Yair Lapid asserted that Iran will pay a heavy price for its missile attack, adding “in Tehran they know that Israel will come.”
He emphasized that the response should be tough and must send a clear message to the entire axis – Iran, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Gaza.
“Along with a military response, we must develop an overall regional political strategy that turns military success into strategic change, and we must not forget for one moment the urgent need to return the abductees home.”
Yair Lapid
Former Israeli Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett also called for a decisive strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
“We must act now to destroy Iran’s nuclear program, its central energy facilities, and to fatally cripple this terrorist regime,” Bennett posted on X after Iran fired a barrage of missiles.
“We have the justification. We have the tools. Now that Hezbollah and Hamas are paralysed, Iran stands exposed,” Bennett noted.
Iran has been accused of seeking to develop atomic weapons.
Tehran insists that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.
Ali Vaez, the Iran Project Director at the International Crisis Group think tank, stressed that there is a “real risk” of Israeli strikes against Iranian nuclear infrastructure.
This , he said, was because Iran’s “defensive shield Hezbollah is on its knees.”
“US forces are already in the region shielding Israel, and for Israel, this is potentially a once-in-a-generation opportunity to take care of a major threat that it has perceived from Iran over the past few decades,” he explained.
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