The leadership in Tehran publicly downplays the Israeli retaliatory strike: Hardly any casualties, only minor damage. How great is the risk that Iran will still strike back?
The US warns Iran to respond militarily to Israel’s retaliation. The following day, the Iranian leadership in Tehran was cautious: two soldiers were killed and the damage caused by the Israeli strikes was minimal. Nevertheless, the region fears an escalation. France and Great Britain call on both sides for moderation.
The Israeli strike was in response to an Oct. 1 barrage of around 200 ballistic missiles by the Revolutionary Guard, Iran’s elite military force.
Arab broadcaster: Military experts consider Israel’s attack to be moderate
According to information from the Al-Arabija television channel, military experts assess the Israeli attack as well calculated. Israel wanted to demonstrate its capabilities without further destabilizing the situation in the Middle East. The channel is based in the United Arab Emirates.
Israeli experts also pointed out that the conflict is unlikely to get out of hand. The Jerusalem Post, for example, wrote: “The taboo on direct attacks no longer exists; both countries believe they can manage the conflict.”
Miri Eisin, a former Israeli government spokeswoman, told CNN the attack demonstrated Israel’s superiority, military and intelligence capabilities. The army spokesman officially communicated the start and end. This could also have been done as a covert operation.
The website Axios reported that before the attack, Israel warned Iran not to respond. In the event of a counterattack, a more serious attack was threatened through intermediaries, especially if there were victims among the Israeli population, Axios wrote, citing anonymous sources.
US government to Iran: Do not escalate further
Shortly before the presidential election on November 5th, the USA hopes that the Israeli retaliatory strike will be the end of the escalation. A senior government official in Washington noted that Israel had followed US recommendations to limit attacks to military targets and avoid civilian casualties. President Joe Biden and his team encouraged Israel to respond appropriately to the Iranian missile attack on October 1, the administration official told the Wall Street Journal.
The USA had asked Israel not to attack nuclear facilities or oil fields in Iran.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke about the “iron commitment” to Israel’s security in a telephone conversation with his Israeli colleague Joav Galant. Austin emphasized that the United States has increased its armed forces to protect US personnel, Israel and partners in the region in the face of the threat from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist organizations.
According to US media, American forces in the region were not involved in the attack.
Scholz calls on Iran to show restraint
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called on Iran to show restraint. “This shouldn’t continue forever with massive escalatory reactions taking place, but it must now come to an end so that an opportunity for peaceful development in the Middle East is opened up,” said the SPD politician in Goa, India.
Iran’s media reports “limited damage” and two deaths
Iranian media reported “limited damage” to military bases in the country. They reported explosions in the area of 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 could be seen.
Two soldiers died in the Israeli attack, the Tasnim agency reported, citing an army statement.
“There is no doubt that Israel will receive an appropriate response to any action,” Tasnim quoted a source as saying. Tasnim is considered the mouthpiece of the Revolutionary Guards.
According to a media report, the military is working on several attack scenarios. The Islamic Republic could fire up to 1,000 ballistic missiles at its declared arch-enemy, expanding attacks by allied militias in the region and disrupting shipping traffic in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. On the other hand, the leadership in Tehran could also draw a temporary conclusion after the attack and counterattack.
Israel: “Days of Repentance” targeted missile factories and sites
The military announced at the start of Operation Days of Repentance that they were carrying out precise attacks on military targets in Iran “in response to the Iranian regime’s ongoing attacks on Israel for months.” After about five hours of several waves of attacks, the army declared the operation over. The “mission” has been accomplished. Israel’s airstrikes took place in several waves over a distance of around 1,500 kilometers.
Israel: Have the right to respond
Israel’s cabinet authorized the retaliation shortly before the attack, according to local media reports. A corresponding telephone conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Joav Galant took place on Friday evening, the Haaretz newspaper reported.
On October 1, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards launched a rocket attack in retaliation for a series of targeted killings by Israel against actors in Iran’s network such as the Lebanese Hezbollah militia and the Islamist Hamas. Israel then announced retaliation. The attack began during the Jewish day of rest, Sabbath. The high Jewish holidays ended on Thursday evening.
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Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
