Netanyahu: “Israel Will Do Whatever is Required to Defend Itself”

Edited by: TJVNews.com

In a recent escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Ali Bagheri Kani, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, issued a stern warning to Israel on Monday, cautioning against any retaliation for Iran’s significant military strike over the weekend, as was reported by Israel National News. According to reports from the IRNA news agency, this confrontation stemmed from an Israeli attack on April 1st on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus.

Bagheri Kani emphasized that the Israeli action had crossed a critical boundary, thereby legitimizing Iran’s “serious test” of its military and defense capabilities. According to the information provided in the INN report, he articulated a clear threat to Israel, stating that any further provocations would be met with an immediate and severe response, not measured in days or hours, but in seconds, indicating the high level of readiness and the swift nature of Iran’s military reaction capabilities.

The context for these developments includes a massive assault from Iran, with reports citing the launch of approximately 300 missiles and drones directed at Israeli territory. This barrage marks one of the most substantial direct confrontations between Iran and Israel to date, reflecting a significant escalation in their longstanding indirect conflicts throughout the region.

Further intensifying the situation, The Wall Street Journal highlighted U.S. officials’ beliefs that Israel is poised to respond to Iran’s attacks imminently. The INN report indicates that this speculation was seemingly confirmed when IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi visited the Nevatim Airbase, which suffered very light damages in the Iranian offensive. During his visit, Halevi declared that the Iranian attack would not go unanswered, signaling potential Israeli military actions on the horizon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside top officials, has been in continuous deliberations regarding the nation’s next steps. The AP reported that despite the anticipation of a decisive action, the government has remained silent on its plans for two consecutive days.

During a conversation with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Netanyahu asserted Israel’s resolve to defend itself. “Israel will do whatever is required to defend itself,” he stated, reinforcing the nation’s stance on self-defense amidst growing international pressures, as was noted in the AP report.

At the Nevatim air base, where IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and army spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari addressed the media, the message was clear. Israel retains the prerogative to respond on its own terms, at a time of its choosing, as per the AP report.

Internationally, the response to the situation has been cautious. The United States, in particular, has called for restraint from Israel. The AP reported that Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, emphasized the U.S. position in a briefing, noting that while Israel has the sovereign right to determine its response, escalation is not desirable. “We don’t want to see escalation, but we obviously will take necessary measures to protect our forces in the region,” Ryder stated, reflecting the delicate balance the U.S. seeks to maintain in the region, as was detailed in the AP report. He added that the U.S. would stay in close consultation with Israeli partners to avoid a wider regional conflict.

John Kirby, a spokesman for the National Security Council, also emphasized the autonomy of Israel in deciding its response to the Iranian attacks. “We are not involved in their decision-making process about a potential response,” Kirby stated, as was indicated in the AP report. He shifted the onus of disclosure onto Israel while maintaining a stance of detachment concerning operational details. This approach calls attention to the delicate balance the U.S. seeks to maintain; supporting its allies without overt involvement in their tactical decisions.

Also on Tuesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken reinforced this position by asserting that the U.S. does not seek further escalation in the region, yet remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting Israel’s security. Blinken’s remarks about the necessity of blending “strength and wisdom” as two sides of the same coin reveal the U.S.’s strategy of combining diplomatic efforts with defense commitments to manage the situation prudently.

An essential aspect of these efforts involves bolstering the alliances between Israel and moderate Arab states, a long-term U.S. objective that has seen significant progress in recent years. According to the information contained in the AP report, this cooperation largely operates under the aegis of the U.S. Central Command (Centcom), which oversees military operations throughout the Middle East and facilitates collaboration with militaries from Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and other nations in the region.

The report in the AP said that Halevi highlighted the international cooperation that took place, noting that the Iranian attack, paradoxically, opened new avenues for regional collaboration. This incident demonstrated a notable level of at least tacit cooperation with Saudi Arabia, as evidenced by the flight paths of the intercepted weapons that traversed Saudi airspace—a detail that illustrates the changing dynamics and possible shifts in regional alliances.

The Iranian assault marked a significant escalation given the historical backdrop of enmity that traces back to Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran’s aggressive stance was showcased by its launching of numerous drones and missiles, of which Israel intercepted 99% of them.

In the tense and complex aerial landscape over the Middle East, the State of Israel’s defensive operations are spearheaded by the meticulously coordinated efforts of the Aerial Control Unit and the Control Desk at the Operations Center, as was explained in the AP report. These units are integral to Israel’s strategic defense, tasked with safeguarding the nation’s airspace through vigilant monitoring, rapid response to threats, and the precise deployment of military assets.

During the critical 12-hour period marked by heightened threats, the personnel at the Control Unit and Control Desk were thrust into a relentless operational tempo. The information in the AP report said that their duties encompassed the deployment of dozens of aircraft for interception missions, the launch of multiple missile interceptors, the dissemination of public warnings, and the strategic management of the nation’s aerial defenses. This intense activity was necessitated by an unprecedented volume of hostile targets aimed at Israeli territory, which demanded an immediate and well-coordinated defense response.

Lt. Col. A, the commander of the Aerial Control Unit, described the night between Saturday and Sunday as historic due to the sheer scale of the threats, the AP reported. The control unit’s personnel were crucial in identifying and tracking these threats, orchestrating the country’s air defense resources to neutralize the incoming dangers effectively. Their efforts ensured that all potential threats to Israeli skies were intercepted and neutralized, showcasing the critical role and high stakes of their responsibilities.

On Tuesday, it was reported that a targeted military action was carried out by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the area of Kfar Dounine, where an IDF aircraft successfully struck Muhammad Hussein Mustafa Shechory. According to a report on the INN web site, Shechory was the Commander of the Rockets and Missiles Unit of Hezbollah’s Radwan Forces, operating in Lebanon’s central and western regions. He was known for planning and orchestrating rocket and missile launches towards Israel, making him a high-value target in efforts to dismantle hostile operations aimed at Israeli territory.

During the same strike, another key operative, Mahmoud Ibrahim Fadel-Allah, also affiliated with Hezbollah’s Rockets and Missiles Unit, was eliminated, the INN report said. These surgical strikes are indicative of Israel’s proactive stance in neutralizing threats at their source, thereby preventing potential escalations and maintaining regional security.

On a tumultuous Tuesday along Israel’s northern border, INN reported that the serene routine was shattered by the piercing sound of sirens and the menacing threat of incoming rockets. The region suddenly became the foreground of a new surge in hostilities.

The areas affected included Kiryat Shmonah, Meron, Safsufa, Hagoshrim, Beit Hillel, Avdon, Manot, and Eilon. Specifically, Mt. Meron was targeted with ten rockets; some missed their targets while others were successfully intercepted by Israel’s aerial defense systems. The rocket attacks did not lead to any casualties but did result in infrastructure damage, the report indicated. In Kiryat Shmonah, four rockets struck, causing minor damage to properties and vehicles, hit by shrapnel. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, though the psychological impact was palpable as two individuals were treated for shock.

In response to the rocket fire, IDF forces promptly launched counterstrikes targeting the sources of the rocket launches. These retaliatory attacks were aimed not only at neutralizing immediate threats but also at sending a stern message of deterrence. IDF aircraft carried out several missions targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and personnel across southern Lebanon, further escalating the military response to the attacks from across the border.

In a striking display of dissent, a group of Iranian activists, both within the country and abroad, recently expressed their vehement opposition to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) through a letter that was notably published by the BBC, as was reported on Tuesday by INN. The letter, a bold proclamation under the watchful eye of a repressive regime, vehemently declares “No to warmongering!” highlighting a critical perspective that the ongoing conflicts are perceived more as endeavors benefiting the government rather than the nation itself.

This outspoken criticism comes at a time when Iran has seen a significant ramp-up in police activity in Tehran. Officially, this increase is part of an enforcement campaign around Islamic dress codes—a perennial subject of contention within the nation, the INN report noted. However, the underlying intent appears more aligned with stifling dissent and preventing any burgeoning resistance against the regime’s authority.

Amidst this tense backdrop, some Iranians have taken to more direct forms of protest. Graffiti with messages like “Israel, strike the supreme leader’s [Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s] house,” and “Israel hit them, they lack the courage to retaliate,” have appeared on city walls, INN reported. These messages, risky and provocative, illustrate a deep-seated frustration and a daring call for external intervention against the regime’s top leadership.

In contrast, the government’s own propaganda efforts aim to redirect the narrative and boost nationalistic fervor. Billboards declaring “Tel Aviv is our battleground, not Tehran” seek to unify public sentiment against external foes rather than internal grievances, as per the INN report. Meanwhile, the IRGC’s recent actions have been met with celebration by supporters of the Islamic Republic, with banners like “the next slap will be fiercer” aimed at intimidating Israel.

Yet, amidst the governmental bravado and the public displays of defiance, the sentiment among many Iranians remains complex and nuanced. One Iranian woman, conveying her thoughts in a voice message, justified the attack on Israel as a preventive measure against further killings of Iranian commanders, the report pointed out. Conversely, another voice message captured a broader sentiment of disenchantment with the regime: “Iranians themselves are in a state of war with the current regime. We harbor no animosity towards any nation, including Israel.”

INN also reported that as fears of regional conflict intensify, many Iranians, grappling with an already strained economy, are rushing to supermarkets and gas stations, driven by the instinct to hoard essential supplies in preparation for the worst.

This sense of crisis is not only manifesting in physical queues but also in the digital realm. Iranians are increasingly using social media as a platform to express their opposition to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), leveraging the hashtag #IRGCterrorists to urge the international community to recognize and boycott the IRGC as a terrorist organization. This digital campaign reflects a profound frustration with the IRGC’s role in both domestic and international arenas, seen by many as a perpetuator of conflict and hardship rather than a protector of national interests.

Ali Karimi, a popular Iranian soccer player who now resides outside Iran, has also added his voice to the chorus of dissent. The INN report said that in a symbolic gesture, Karimi posted a photo of intertwined hands overlaid with the Israeli flag and the pre-1979 Iranian flag—a flag that represents Iran’s national identity prior to the Islamic revolution. Accompanying this powerful image, Karimi’s message was clear and poignant: “We are Iran, not the Islamic Republic.” His statement not only challenges the current regime’s legitimacy but also expresses a broader sentiment held by many Iranians who feel that their country’s identity and aspirations are being stifled under theocratic rule.

Karimi’s actions and the widespread use of the #IRGCterrorists hashtag are emblematic of a larger movement within Iran—a movement that seeks to reclaim the country’s identity from the clutches of a regime many view as oppressive. These expressions of dissent, both subtle and overt, signal a critical shift in public sentiment and underline the deep divisions between the Iranian state and its citizens. As the international community watches these developments unfold, the voices of ordinary Iranians are resonating louder, calling for recognition, support, and, most importantly, change.

(Additional reporting by: Fern Sidman)