Iranian President Vows Fierce Response If Israel Attacks Iranian Interests

Last updated on August 7th, 2024 at 04:29 pm

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi warned that his country would carry out a “fierce response” if Israeli forces attack its territories or interests and continue a cycle of tit-for-tat strikes.

Iranian forces fired around 300 missiles and drones toward Israel over the weekend, after a suspected Israeli airstrike hit its embassy compound in Damascus, Syria on April 1, reportedly killed multiple Iranian military officers and at least two civilians.

Israeli and U.S. air defense forces intercepted a majority of the missiles and drones fired toward Israel this weekend, though several of the missiles struck a pair of Israeli military bases and others were reportedly injured by debris falling from intercepted munitions or while scrambling for cover.

After the initial drone and missile barrage, the Iranian government told the United Nations that it had deliberately limited its retaliation for the April 1 embassy strike and said its responsive actions had concluded.

While the Iranian attacks on Israel appear to have killed fewer people than the April 1 embassy strike in Syria and Iran has deemed its retaliation to be concluded, the Israeli government has repeatedly signaled it intends to respond.

“We cannot stand still from this kind of aggression,” Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said on Tuesday, adding, “Iran will not get [off] scot-free with this aggression.”

In a Wednesday speech at Iran’s Army Day parade, Raisi threatened further Iranian action if Israel does not let the matter rest. According to a summary of his speech posted to his official website, the Iranian president said “the slightest attack by the Zionist regime on Iran’s territory or interests will be met with a strong and fierce response.”

President Joe Biden’s administration has urged Israel to exercise restraint following the Iranian drone and missile barrage. In an officially organized press call on Monday, a member of Biden’s administration said the United States would not be part of any Israeli response, adding “our aim is to de-escalate regional tensions; we do not want a broader regional conflict.”

Speaking with Sky News on Monday, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron pointed to the relatively minimal damage from Iran’s missile and drone barrage, and said the Israeli side to “take the win.”

French President Emmanuel Macron has said his government is working to “convince Israel that we must not respond by escalating.”

The Israeli government has not ruled out a response to the Iranian barrage.

“They have all sorts of suggestions and advice. I appreciate that. But I want to be clear: Our decisions we will make ourselves,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a Wednesday press conference.

Speaking with Fox News on Wednesday evening, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Herzog indicated the Israeli government views continued Israeli action against Iran as vital to deterrance.

“This cannot just pass. It cannot go unanswered,” Herzog said. “Because if you don’t answer, the Iranians will feel impunity, and they will feel that you can strike anywhere in the Middle East or elsewhere, without any consequences. So we have to respond, and we will respond. How exactly we do it remains to be seen.”