Mohammad Bagheri, the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, stated on Sunday that the military operation launched by Iran against Israel the previous night was merely a warning. The operation did not target any economic sites, according to reports from the Arab World News Agency, as broadcasted on the official ‘Al Alam’ television channel.
Bagheri emphasized that all air defense systems are ready to be activated if necessary. Additionally, Hossein Salami, the Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, mentioned that the Iranian-launched cruise missiles successfully navigated through complex air defenses set up by Israel with American assistance, covering airspace across Iraq, Jordan, and even Syria. Salami acknowledged that while precise results of last night’s operations are not yet known, initial information suggests they were successful and achieved their intended targets.
Salami warned of potential extensive operations to serve as a deterrent to Israel and stated that Iran has established a new equation of direct retaliation from Iranian territory against any Israeli aggression.
In a related development, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi praised the Revolutionary Guard for teaching Israel a ‘strong lesson’ after the attacks, as reported by the ‘Al Alam’ channel. Raisi declared that the Revolutionary Guards, in coordination with all defense and political sectors, had marked a significant page in the nation’s history and taught the Zionists a profound lesson. He also warned that if Israel and its allies engage in reckless actions, they will face a much harsher and decisive response.
Iran launched a significant military assault on Israel, marking a serious escalation in tensions between the two nations. This attack included the firing of around 300 missiles and drones, targeting various locations within Israel. The Iranian government described the attack as a direct response to an earlier Israeli strike that resulted in the deaths of several senior Iranian military commanders in Damascus on April 1, 2024.
Despite the scale of the attack, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) were largely successful in intercepting these projectiles, with reports indicating that 99% of the missiles and drones were neutralized before causing significant damage. The IDF’s air defenses, bolstered by assistance from the United States, the United Kingdom, Jordan, and France, played a crucial role in defending against this barrage.
In the wake of the attack, global reactions were swift. There was widespread international condemnation of Iran’s actions, reflecting concerns about the potential for further escalation and broader regional instability. Israeli airspace, which was briefly closed, was reopened following the containment of the attack.
This incident has prompted a significant international response, including a planned discussion by the G7 leaders to address the implications of Iran’s actions and to explore ways to de-escalate the situation.
