Israel retaliates against Iran – how does Tehran react?

Israel has launched retaliatory strikes against Iran, which have been expected for weeks.

The military announced last night that it was conducting precision attacks on Iranian military targets “in response to months of sustained attacks by the Iranian regime on Israel.” After several waves of attacks lasting about five hours, the army announced that the strike, known as a “Day of Repentance,” would end in the morning. The “mission” has been accomplished. The Iranian military is ready to counterattack. Tasnim News Agency quoted a source as saying: “There is no doubt that Israel will respond appropriately to any action.” Tasnim is considered the mouthpiece of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards. The distance of Israeli air strikes is about 1,500 kilometers.

It was the first known large-scale attack by a foreign power on Iran since the Islamic Republic's first Gulf War with Iraq in the 1980s. “We attacked targets in various areas of Iran with precision,” Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said this morning. This includes a workshop for building rockets. Surface-to-air missile systems and air defense systems were also attacked. “Israel now has more freedom in its air operations against Iran,” Hagari said. The location to be attacked is selected from a target list. Other targets on this list can be attacked if necessary. According to media reports, a total of about 20 targets in Iran were bombed by Israel.

Iranian media reports “limited losses”

The United States has called on Israel, its most important ally, not to attack Iran's nuclear facilities or oil fields. Iranian media initially reported “limited damage” to the country's military bases. So far, there have been no reports of possible victims. The airspace was initially closed but was expected to reopen in the morning, Iranian state media reported. The country's official media reported that an explosion occurred in the capital Tehran, where 15 to 20 million people live. Explosions were also heard in the city center early in the morning and anti-aircraft fire was visible. Israel retaliated in response to Iran's recent missile attacks.

Israel carries out threats

On October 1, Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards launched about 200 ballistic missiles at Israel. The attack follows a series of targeted killings by Israel targeting key figures in Iran's network of non-state allies, including the Lebanese Hezbollah militia and Islamist Hamas. Israel subsequently announced retaliation. The attack occurred during the Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest. The Jewish holiday ends Thursday night. According to US media reports, US troops stationed in the area were not involved.

Did Iran strike back?

Initially, Iranian state media described the Israeli attack as harmless. State radio reported that the explosion in the west of the capital Tehran was caused by an air defense system. Iran's Revolutionary Guards have repeatedly emphasized in recent days that they hope to respond decisively to the attack. Israeli military spokesman Hagari warned Iran not to escalate further after the attack. “If the Iranian regime makes a mistake that triggers a new escalation, we have an obligation to respond,” Hagari said this morning.

Shortly before the U.S. presidential election, the U.S. government also called on Iran not to further escalate the conflict. A senior government official noted that Israel has followed U.S. government recommendations to limit attacks on military targets to avoid civilian casualties. U.S. President Joe Biden and his team have encouraged Israel in recent weeks to respond to Iran's October 1 missile attack in a targeted and appropriate manner, the administration official told the Wall Street Journal. Former CIA Director John Brennan told NBC News that Israel's response could affect U.S. domestic politics.

Warning to Iran

Axios website reported that Israel warned Iran not to respond before the retaliatory attack. Citing anonymous sources, Axios said intermediaries have threatened more serious attacks if Iran strikes back, especially if there are victims among the Israeli population.

According to media reports, the Iranian military is studying several attack scenarios. The Islamic Republic could launch up to 1,000 ballistic missiles at its declared nemesis, extending the reach of allied militias in the region and disrupting shipping traffic in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. In this context, the United States deployed a battery of THAAD missile defense systems in Israel. The United States moved THAAD system batteries to the region last year.

Israel: Right to respond

According to local media reports, the Israeli cabinet approved the retaliation shortly before the attack. A corresponding conference call was held on Friday evening with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yove Galante, Haaretz reported. “The State of Israel, like all other sovereign states in the world, has the right and obligation to respond,” the Israeli military said this morning.

Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, wrote in “A Platform That Will Be Used to Protect Israeli Citizens” that Israel will not allow Iran to “continue to hide behind its proxies.”

More than a year since the Gaza War broke out, the so-called “axis of resistance” of Iran's allies has launched multiple attacks on Israel. In addition to Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, it also includes Iraqi militias and the Houthis in Yemen. After the retaliatory strikes against Iran began, the Israeli military stated in the morning that its defense and offensive capabilities had been fully mobilized. “We will take all necessary measures to defend the State of Israel and the Israeli people.” However, there are currently no special instructions from the civil defense department.

At the same time, rocket sirens sounded again in northern Israel after Israeli retaliatory attacks began. The Israeli military said an alert had been sounded in the coastal city of Nahariya and surrounding areas. There were no initial reports of possible victims. Iran-aligned Hezbollah has been shelling Israel since the war in Gaza began a year ago. Israel has responded with massive airstrikes and now a ground offensive. Meanwhile, Israel continues to take action against Hezbollah in Lebanon. (HKL/SDA/DPA)