Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said that Israel had been anticipating a direct attack by Iran for years. In response to Tehran’s drone and missile assault, he asserted that Israel is prepared to retaliate “defensively and offensively.” Iran launched over 200 projectiles towards Israel, with many intercepted by Israeli defense systems. Furthermore, US and UK aircraft intercepted drones, while Jordan downed drones that breached its airspace.
“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,” Netanyahu said.
“The State of Israel is strong. The IDF is strong. The public is strong,” he added.
Lauding United States for backing Israel, he stated that whoever harms Israel, “we will harm them”.
“We have demanded a clear principle: Whoever harms us, we will harm them. We will defend ourselves against any threat and will do so level headedly and with determination. Citizens of Israel, I know that you are also level headed. I call on you to follow the directives of IDF Home Front Command. Together we will stand and with God’s help, together we will overcome all of our enemies,” he said.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that Iran’s strike was a response to an alleged Israeli attack on a consular compound in Damascus, resulting in casualties including two generals.
Israel has not confirmed or denied involvement in the Damascus attack. Iran has pledged retaliation for what it claims was an Israeli strike on its Damascus consulate in April.
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“Should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe,” it said.