Israel sent Iran “clear warnings” about its intention to respond to any attack on its territory and directly attack nuclear or oil facilities, writes the Wall Street Journal, citing interlocutors among officials.
This message emphasized that a response would be given regardless of the strength of the Iranian bombardment and the presence of deaths in Israel.
According to the New York Times, during the Iranian bombing of Israeli territory in April, it was possible to avoid a powerful response from Tel Aviv and attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities: the IDF limited itself to an attack on the air base. Now, unnamed U.S. officials told the newspaper, more severe scenarios are being considered, including an Israeli attack on nuclear facilities. We are talking, in particular, about the enrichment facilities in the city of Netenz, the heart of the Iranian nuclear program.
Tehran warned this spring that if Israel attacks nuclear facilities, Iran will be forced to develop nuclear weapons.
“If the Zionist regime attacks our nuclear facilities, our deterrence policy will change.” – assured the advisor to the supreme leader (ayatollah) Kamal Kharrazi.
Iran launched a massive missile attack against Israel on the afternoon of October 1. Tehran explained that the reason was Israeli attacks on Hezbollah and Palestinian Hamas targets, as well as the death of their leaders. The objectives of the bombing were achieved, Tehran emphasizes.
Israeli authorities deny claims that the attack was successful and insist that most of the missiles were shot down, although there were some hits. The American side makes the same assessment.
“Based on what we know so far, this attack appears to have been repelled and was ineffective.” – said the US presidential national security advisor. Jake Sullivan.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Iran’s actions a big mistake and vowed to hold it accountable. He said that the slain leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas did not realize how prepared Israel was to defend itself and take revenge, and also suggested that there are those in Tehran who do not understand this. “They will understand,” RBC quotes Netanyahu.
