By Steven Scheer, Parisa Hafezi, and Timour Azhari
JERUSALEM/BEIRUT (Reuters) – Iran announced early on Wednesday that its missile attack on Israel had concluded unless further provocation occurred. Meanwhile, Israel and the U.S.
pledged to retaliate against Tehran, heightening fears of a broader conflict.
Washington stated its intent to collaborate with long-time ally Israel to ensure Iran faced "severe consequences" for the assault, which Israel reported involved over 180 ballistic missiles.
A United Nations Security Council meeting focused on the Middle East was scheduled for Wednesday, and the European Union called for an immediate ceasefire.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, in a post on X early on Wednesday, asserted, “Our action is concluded unless the Israeli regime decides to invite further retaliation. In that scenario, our response will be stronger and more powerful.”
Early on Wednesday, Israel resumed its aerial bombardment of Beirut’s southern suburbs, a stronghold of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. At least a dozen airstrikes were launched against what Israel claimed were group targets, resulting in large plumes of smoke rising from the suburbs. The area received new evacuation orders, which were observed as largely empty after days of intensified strikes.
IRAN’S BIGGEST ATTACK ON ISRAEL
The attack by Iran marked its largest military offensive against Israel to date. Sirens blared across Israel, and explosions were heard in Jerusalem and the Jordan River valley, prompting the entire population to seek shelter. Although there were no reported injuries in Israel, authorities in the occupied West Bank reported one fatality.
Iran characterized the operation as defensive, targeting solely Israeli military facilities. The state news agency in Iran reported strikes on three Israeli military bases, framing the assault as a response to Israeli actions in Lebanon against Hezbollah and in Gaza.
Israel confirmed that it activated air defenses against the bombardment, with most missiles being intercepted by a defensive coalition led by the United States, according to Israeli Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari. He described Iran’s attack as a severe escalation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised retaliation, stating, “Iran made a big mistake tonight – and it will pay for it,” at the beginning of an emergency political security cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
Iran’s General Staff of the Armed Forces issued a statement via state media, indicating that any Israeli retaliation would lead to the "vast destruction" of Israeli infrastructure, including targeting regional assets of allied nations.
Fears of a regional war involving Iran and the U.S. have risen alongside Israel’s ongoing assault on Lebanon, which included the initiation of a ground operation on Monday, and the year-long conflict in the Gaza Strip.
Iran’s use of hypersonic Fattah missiles on Tuesday was noted, with Iranian Revolutionary Guards claiming a 90% hit rate on their Israeli targets. Rear Admiral Hagari noted minimal strikes impacted central and southern Israel and released footage showing significant damage to a school in Gadera from an Iranian missile.
The Pentagon confirmed that U.S. Navy warships fired a dozen interceptors against Iranian missiles targeting Israel. The United Kingdom mentioned its involvement in prevention efforts, without giving specifics.
U.S. President Joe Biden expressed full support for Israel and termed Iran’s attack as “ineffective.” Vice President Kamala Harris echoed Biden’s sentiments, assuring that the U.S. would defend its interests against Iran promptly.
Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon mentioned, “We will act. Iran will soon feel the consequences of their actions. The response will be painful,” in a statement to reporters.
U.S. DOES NOT URGE RESTRAINT
The White House, through spokesman Jake Sullivan, also promised "severe consequences" for Iran, indicating collaboration with Israel to implement the punitive measures. Sullivan stopped short of advocating for Israeli restraint, contrary to the stance in April when a previous drone and missile attack by Iran occurred. The Pentagon remarked that the recent strikes were twice as substantial as those in April.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the ongoing escalation and stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned Iran’s attacks on Israel and emphasized France’s mobilization of military resources in the Middle East. He called for Hezbollah to halt actions against Israel and reiterated a call for Lebanese sovereignty in compliance with U.N. resolutions.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also urged a regional ceasefire, warning against an uncontrollable cycle of violence.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, after discussions with leaders from Germany and France, concurred on the need for restraint from all parties.
In nearly a year of cross-border fighting, mostly within the past two weeks, the Lebanese government reported nearly 1,900 fatalities and over 9,000 injuries.
