DOHA: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday that while Iran is “not looking for war,” however, Tehran will respond more forcefully if Israel retaliates for Tuesday’s missile attack. “We are not looking for war, it is Israel that forces us to react,” he said.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, in Doha, Pezeshkian said that any Israeli reaction would be met with a “stronger response.” “If it (Israel) wants to react, we will have a stronger response, this is what the Islamic Republic is committed to,” Pezeshkian said.
Pezeshkian’s comments came a day after Iran fired around 200 missiles, including hypersonic weapons, at Israel forcing many Israeli civilians to hide in bomb shelters.
Israeli defences intercepted some of the missiles; however, the Israeli military confirmed that several missiles fell within air force bases.
Pezeshkian condemned Israel’s actions, asserting, “The dirty goal of the Zionist regime is to cause insecurity and spread crisis in the region.” He called on the United States and European nations to urge Israel to cease its aggressive actions.
“What we want from US and European countries is to tell the entity they have planted in the region (Israel) to stop the bloodshed.”
Speaking on the occasion, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim warned that Israeli military operations are leading the region to the “brink of the abyss.” He condemned ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza and affirmed Qatar’s commitment to mediating a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Meanwhile, the Israeli government is reportedly considering major strikes on Iranian oil refineries and other strategic sites in retaliation to a massive ballistic missile barrage launched by Tehran on Tuesday night, US media outlets reported on Wednesday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security cabinet meeting late Tuesday to discuss potential military actions in response to the Iranian offensive.
According to reports from the US news site Axios, Israeli officials are considering a “significant retaliation” within days, which could include attacks on Iranian oil production facilities and other strategic sites.
The decision-making process is being coordinated with US officials to ensure operational support and defensive cooperation from US Central Command.
“There will be severe consequences for this attack, and we will work with Israel to make that the case,” US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan stated on Tuesday evening.
Netanyahu made it clear that Iran would face serious repercussions for its actions, asserting, “Iran made a big mistake tonight – and it will pay for it.” He emphasized Israel’s determination to defend itself and retaliate against threats.
US lawmakers, including Senator Lindsey Graham, have voiced support for a robust response, urging the Biden administration to work closely with Israel to “hit Iran’s ability to refine oil” as part of a broader retaliatory strategy.
In the wake of the missile attacks, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced they would reinforce their presence in southern Lebanon as part of their largest military operation in the area since the 2006 war with Hezbollah.
The IDF stated that the 36th Division, comprising troops from three brigades, would join ongoing targeted operations against Hezbollah infrastructure.
Israeli media reported that around 100 rockets have been launched into Israel from Lebanon on Wednesday, with evidence of direct clashes between Israeli ground forces and Hezbollah fighters. Israeli airstrikes also targeted locations in Beirut, with reports of heavy smoke rising from the city.
Casualty reports from the Iranian missile attack indicate that while most missiles were intercepted, one person was killed by shrapnel from a downed missile. Additional injuries were reported as a result of the missile onslaught, but the bulk of the missiles fell outside densely populated areas.
Eyewitness accounts from Jerusalem described a dramatic scene as air sirens sounded and missiles streaked across the night sky. The Iranian missile salvo specifically targeted several Israeli military bases.
In response to escalating tensions, the IDF issued warnings to residents of southern Lebanon and the suburbs of Beirut, advising evacuations of areas near Hezbollah facilities that were likely to be targeted in forthcoming operations.
