Israel attacked military targets in Iran in response to the barrage of ballistic missiles fired by the Islamic Republic at Israel earlier this month. It is the first time the Israeli military has openly attacked Iran, the AP reported.
After the attacks, the Iranian Foreign Ministry indicated that it had the right to self-defense and that it “considers itself to have the right and obligation to defend itself against foreign acts of aggression.”
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Iran “has no limits” in defending its interests.
However, later yesterday, the Iranian military issued a carefully worded statement indicating that any ceasefire in Israel’s ground offensives in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon would take precedence over any retaliatory attacks.
The Israeli army explained that it attacked facilities used by Iran to manufacture the missiles fired against it and surface-to-air missile sites.
It is unknown if they hit oil or missile facilities, which would mean a more serious outbreak.
For his part, the Secretary General of the UN, António Guterres, expressed his “deep alarm” at the escalation of violence in the Middle East after Israel’s attack on Iran, reports EFE.
Guterres’ spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, said in a statement that the secretary general is “deeply alarmed by the continued escalation in the Middle East” and that “all acts of escalation are condemnable and must stop.”
Guterres “urgently reiterates his call to all parties to cease military actions, including in Gaza and Lebanon, do everything possible to avoid an all-out regional war and return to the path of diplomacy,” he said.— AP/EFE
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An Iranian attack on Israel, which has escalated tensions in the region. Our Alex Reed today is Dr. Sarah Klein, an expert in Middle Eastern affairs and conflict resolution. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Klein.
**Interviewer:** Dr. Klein, Israel’s recent strikes on Iran mark a significant shift in the regional landscape. Can you explain the implications of breaking this 40-year taboo?
**Dr. Klein:** Absolutely. For four decades, direct military strikes between these two nations were largely avoided, as both countries recognized the catastrophic potential of escalating conflict. By launching these attacks, Israel signals a willingness to engage in a more aggressive military posture, which could lead to a dangerous cycle of retaliation.
**Interviewer:** The strikes reportedly avoided targeting nuclear and oil facilities. What does that suggest about Israel’s strategy?
**Dr. Klein:** By steering clear of those critical sites, Israel appears to be demonstrating restraint and a preference for targeting military installations over key infrastructure. This could indicate that while Israel wants to send a strong message to Tehran, it also wants to manage international backlash and avoid igniting a wider conflict.
**Interviewer:** How might Iran respond to these attacks, and what are the potential consequences for the broader Middle East?
**Dr. Klein:** Iran is expected to respond either through direct military actions or by mobilizing proxy groups across the region, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon or militia groups in Iraq. The consequences could ripple through the region, heightening tensions with other countries and possibly drawing in external powers, complicating the security situation even further.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what should we be watching for in the coming weeks as this situation unfolds?
**Dr. Klein:** Key indicators will be any Iranian military responses, shifts in U.S. diplomacy in the region, and reactions from other Middle Eastern countries. We should also keep an eye on global oil markets and how they’re affected by rising tensions. The situation is fluid, and developments can change rapidly.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Klein, for your insights on this complex situation. It certainly remains a critical moment in Middle Eastern geopolitics.
**Dr. Klein:** Thank you for having me.
