Iran and Israel Continue to Threaten Each Other with Retaliatory Attacks

Israel said it would immediately respond to Iran's attack again. Meanwhile, Iran threatened to retaliate against Israel.

AFP PHOTO/ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE

In a photo released by the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel on April 14th, 2024, it shows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (center) at a War Cabinet meeting in Tel Aviv, Israel.

JERUSALEM, WEDNESDAY — The Middle East region is preparing to face further escalation of conflict. Israel said it would immediately decide on steps to respond to Iran's attack. Meanwhile, Iran warned that even the smallest attack by Israel would receive a bigger and stronger response.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a statement about retaliation, Wednesday (17/4/2024) evening local time, during a meeting of the war cabinet. Before the meeting, he received visits from British Foreign Minister David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock who advised Israel to exercise restraint.

"I want to make it clear that we will make our own decisions. The state of Israel will do whatever it takes to defend itself," said Netanyahu. He did not elaborate on when and how Israel would retaliate against Iran.

Also read: Ignoring UN Urges, Israel Considers Responding to Iran's Attack

Netanyahu has been under a lot of pressure from allied countries for Israel to hold back on attacking Iran on April 14. Israel's allies believe that any action taken by Israel will have a negative impact. "It is clear that Israel will make the decision to fight against Iran," says Cameron.

Cameron hopes that Israel will retaliate as smartly as possible amidst the escalating conflict. Meanwhile, Baerbock emphasizes that Germany declares full solidarity with Israel, but urges Israel to exercise restraint.

"Everyone now has to act carefully and responsibly. I am not talking about giving up. I am talking about wise self-control, which is nothing but power," he said to reporters.

AP PHOTO/OHAD ZWIGENBERG

Israeli soldiers stand guard near the Iron Dome air defense system, in Sderot, Israel, Wednesday (17/4/2024).

Despite its insistence, Israel seems unlikely to attack Iran directly without the support of the United States, its main ally. In facing Iran's attack on Sunday (14/4/2024), Israel was assisted by a number of allied countries, such as the US, France, Britain and Jordan, to intercept attacks by hundreds of Iranian drones and missiles.

However, Israel may use a more covert strategy to respond to Iran. One of the strategies is to target senior Iranian commanders or Iran-backed groups in other countries, or launching a counter-attack in cyberspace.

Everyone must now act carefully and responsibly. I'm not talking about giving up.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, in a speech at the annual military parade broadcasted by the official Iranian news agency, IRNA, said that the attack on Israel was a limited attack. "If Iran wants to launch a bigger attack, there will be nothing left of the Zionist regime," he said.

Raisi also warned Israel not to retaliate in any way. "Any small invasion will result in a large-scale response from Iran," he said.

Also read: Iran's attack on Israel, the peak of the feud between the Middle Eastern superpowers

Responding to the statements of both sides, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, reiterated his call for Israel and Iran to exercise maximum restraint. The spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric, told reporters that the rhetoric in the Middle East is becoming increasingly dangerous. Dujarric said that the world and the region cannot allow open conflicts to occur again.

Penalty

During a visit to Israel, both Cameron and Baerbock pushed for international sanctions for Iran. President Joe Biden said the same thing, Tuesday (16/4/2024). The Biden administration revealed that it will implement new sanctions against Iran.

The US is attempting to coordinate international sanctions over the attack while urging all parties to reduce tension. US officials also said earlier this week that Biden had conveyed to Netanyahu that Washington would not participate in any offensive action against Iran.

AP PHOTO/VAHID SALEMI

The Iranian military displays missiles at a military parade in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday (17/4/2024).

The leaders of European Union member states decided at a meeting on Wednesday in Brussels, Belgium to increase sanctions against Iran. Iran's direct attack on Israel has prompted major countries to strive to prevent a broader conflict in the Middle East. "We feel it is very important to do everything to isolate Iran," said European Council President Charles Michel.

He added that new sanctions against Iran would target companies involved in the production of drones and missiles. Meanwhile Italy separately ahead of the G7 talks supported sanctions against arms suppliers linked to attacks on Israel, as well as those behind attacks on ships in the Red Sea.

Also read: After the Iran-Israel "Shadow War" broke out

The attack by Iran on Israel on April 14 was a retaliatory attack for Israel's air strike on the Iranian Embassy complex in Damascus, Syria on April 1. The Israeli attack killed two Iranian generals, including Mohammad Reza Zahedi, the head of the Quds Brigade of Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) for operations in Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon.

Iran launched 300 missiles and drones into Israeli territory. However, Israel and a number of allied countries managed to intercept the attack and minimize its impact. (AP/AFP/REUTERS)