Israel’s Attack on Iran Condemned, Largely Seen ‘Performative’ by Social Media

Palestinian National Initiative Movement Secretary-General Dr. Mustafa Barghouti said the USA tied Israel’s hands in regard to the Iranian response and gave it a free hand to commit genocide in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, given the Israeli occupation remains helpless without Western support according to Jordan 24.

Iran’s Call

Al Jazeera’s Tehran bureau chief Abdul Qader Fayez said Iran believes that the Israeli attack is “no longer clean” because it caused bloodshed, but at the same time it downplays its importance, stressing that it is less than expected.

The Iranian army announced the death of two of its soldiers while confronting the Israeli attack.

Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Iran early Saturday morning, and explosions were heard in the Iranian capital, Tehran. Four hours after the start of the operation, which Israel called “Days of Response,” the Israeli army announced that it had completed the attack on military targets in Iran, and all of its aircraft that carried out the attack on Iran had returned safely to their bases, and that the operation had achieved all of its goals.

Fayez spoke about three levels that summarize the Iranian position on the Israeli attack on Tehran. The first is that it uses terms such as that the attack was weak, and that the losses were limited in terms of military sites, noting that the Iranian army confirmed the death of two soldiers.

Tehran also says that the Israeli attack was not as it had previously expected, at least according to the ceiling that Israel spoke about, meaning that it was not a “large-scale attack.”

On the second level, Iran says, through its informed sources, that Iranian anti-aircraft missiles succeeded in confronting the Israeli attack, which the sources said “was not successful,” and the Al Jazeera bureau chief said that this needs to be explained in a military sense.

Deny

The Iranian sources deny the Israeli narrative that Tel Aviv targeted 20 sites and missile batteries in its attack, describing this as inaccurate.

The third level, according to the Al Jazeera bureau chief, is related to the Iranian response, noting that it is not yet clear what Iran will do in the coming days. Fayez said that a source informed of the events spoke to the Iranian Tasnim News Agency, saying that “Iran is interested in responding to the Israeli attack,” which was previously repeated by military and political officials that any attack would be met with an Iranian response.

In its first comment on the Israeli airstrike, the Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the Zionist aggression on Iranian military headquarters according to assawsana.

Violation

The Foreign Ministry said that this attack is a violation of international law and our sovereignty.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed it has the right to defend itself against any foreign aggression according to the United Nations Charter.

It said that the continuation of Zionist crimes in the region with American and Western military and political support is a factor of tension, and we affirm that we will use all our capabilities to defend our security and interests and our commitment to regional security.

On the other hand, the Politico website quoted an American official as confirming that no American military equipment participated in the Israeli operation on Iran.

The New York Times reported, quoting Iranian officials, that among the sites targeted by the Israeli attack was the “S-300” defense system at Khomeini Airport.

In Tehran Province, at least 3 missile bases belonging to the Revolutionary Guard were targeted.

Condemned by Arab World

Meanwhile Middle East states –  including Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Kuwait, and Qatar –condemned Saturday’s Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory as reported in Anadolu.

Oman’s Foreign Ministry expressed “strong condemnation and denunciation” of the strikes, calling them a “blatant violation of [Iran’s] sovereignty” and “a clear breach of international law.”

The ministry warned that the attacks “fuel a cycle of violence and undermine efforts toward de-escalation and crisis containment through peaceful and diplomatic means.”

Qatar expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of Israel’s targeting of Iran, branding the attacks “a blatant violation of Iran’s sovereignty and a clear breach of the principles of international law.”

The Qatari Foreign Ministry expressed “deep concern regarding the serious repercussions that may result from this escalation” and urged all concerned parties to “exercise restraint, resolve disputes through dialogue and peaceful means, and avoid anything that could destabilize security and stability in the region,” according to the Turkish news agency.

Jordan’s Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory.

Ministry spokesman Sufyan Qudah reiterated the kingdom’s “absolute rejection of the dangerous escalation in the region and violations of international law.”

As well, the Jordan Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s territory, in breach of international law, adding that this attack is a violation of its sovereignty and a dangerous escalation that fuels further tension in the region.

In a statement Saturday, the ministry’s official spokesperson, Dr. Sufian Qudah, stressed the Kingdom’s “full” rejection of the dangerous escalation in the region and violations of international law, warning against slipping into a conflict that threatens the region’s stability and international security according to the Petra, the Jordan news agency.

A military source from the Jordan Armed Forces told Al Mamalaka TV that no military aircraft from the conflicting parties of the region have been allowed to transit through Jordanian airspace.

The source highlighted that the armed forces have been closely monitoring the military escalation in recent hours. The Royal Jordanian Airforce is on high alert and prepared to protect the nations, the source said.

The official stated this action also aims to stop Israeli violations of international law and UN resolutions and protect the region’s security and stability from the disastrous consequences of the continued Israeli attacks.

Also, Kuwait expressed its “strong condemnation and rejection of the Israeli aggression targeting Iran.”

“This act reflects the chaotic policies pursued by Israeli occupation forces, which violate the sovereignty of nations, jeopardize regional security, and disregard the principles of international law,” Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.


Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq, Egypt

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry expressed its “strong condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli attack,” calling it a “violation of Tehran’s sovereignty and a breach of international laws and norms.”

The UAE’s Foreign Ministry also issued a call for restraint, stressing “the importance of exercising utmost self-restraint and judgment to mitigate risks and prevent the expansion of the scale of conflict.”

It reaffirmed that “enhancing dialogue, adhering to international law, and respecting the sovereignty of states” are critical to addressing current tensions and that disputes should be resolved “through diplomatic means rather than confrontation and escalation.”

In Iraq, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Al-Awadi condemned “the Zionist aggression on Iran” and called for an immediate cease-fire.

Iraq reiterated its stance against any actions that could provoke further instability in the region.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it is “closely monitoring the escalating tensions in the Middle East.”

Egypt condemned “all actions that threaten the security and stability of the region,” warning of the current risks of escalation.”

Cairo reiterated its call for an “urgent cease-fire” in Gaza and Lebanon, while calling for “respect for the sovereignty of nations and the integrity of their territories.”

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Iran’s FM to Israel: ‘Don’t Test Our Resolve’

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned Israel “not to test” Tehran’s resolve amid reports of possible military strikes in response to the barrage of missiles Iran launched last week in retaliation to Israel’s assassinations of senior Hezbollah, Hamas and Iranian officials.

“Our missiles can reach all their targets. We will respond to any attack on our institutions or infrastructure,” Araghchi said during a conference discussing the impact of Hamas’s October 7 operation on Israel on the first anniversary according to the Quds News Network.

“We recommend the Zionist regime not to test the resolve of the Islamic Republic. If any attack against our country takes place, our response will be more powerful,” Araghchi said.

He added Iran will continue to support the Palestinian cause to establish their own state. Addressing the Israeli strike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Araghchi said the “resistance” to Israel is not based on a person.

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Is an Israel-Iran War Coming?

By Dr Khairi Janbek

In the late 1990s, the grandiose talk of a new order for the Middle East emerged which turned out to be nothing more than a euphemism for Disney Land Arab countries, poverty and conflict-stricken regional reality, with a mixture bordering on more than buffer zones.

Now we have a less ambitious notion and that is a new balance of power in the Middle East, another euphemism for Israel calling the shots and all its neighbors being called on to abide.

But how does this new notion translate in practical terms? Well basically, to all concerned and less concerned waking up every morning asking the question: Will Israel strike Iran or will it not? 

Of course, this is a horrific question if indeed Israel does hit Iran as it carries with it many important existential perils for the whole region and beyond.

One believes whatever is on Benjamin Netanyahu’s mind to achieve advantageous results must be carried out before the date of the US elections this November because no matter what he has been told by the US prospective candidates, at the end of the day, a sitting president doesn’t act like a president-elect.

Now what would a direct confrontation and open warfare between Israel and Iran entail? Well primarily, direct confrontation takes precedence over war by proxies, which means Israel will have to go directly into destroying the military capabilities of Iran in a hugely destructive war.

This would ultimately open the possibilities for its own destruction which means dragging the US and western powers into the conflict, no matter how reluctantly they maybe to defend it, and/or basically go into a slippery-slope open warfare reaching Syria and Iraq and Iran and whatever is on its plate regarding Gaza and Lebanon.

The current wisdom dictates a large scale war does not seem to be likely on the agenda, but that does not exclude a cycle of tit-for-tat strikes between Israel and Iran.  Clearly Israel knows that for the economy of the west which is seriously preoccupied with prices and inflation, to target the Iranian oil facilities is a red line.

Moreover, to target the Iranian nuclear facilities would open the door for Tehran to retaliate against the Israeli nuclear facilities which will have dire consequences for the whole region and the world.

Therefore, if Israel is seriously thinking of dealing a blow to Iran, it will either resort to targeting personalities from the hierarchy of the country, and/or will be a just a face saving act with superfluous consequences.

Dr Khairi Janbek is a Jordanian writer based in Paris and the above opinion is that of the author and doesn’t reflect crossfirearabia.com.

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Al Duwairi: Attack Shows Strong Iran, Israel’s Intelligence Failure

Military expert Major-General Fayez Al-Duwairi said the latest Iranian attack reflects a new intelligence failure for Israel, stressing it was different from its True Promise attack that took place last April, and reflects seriousness in its response.

The recent attack was carried out from several areas in Iran which reflects good preparation, especially since each batch of the trajectories headed towards specific targets. He noted the missiles used were hypersonic, which reflects Tehran’s seriousness in its response, Al-Duwairi said on Al Jazeera.

The military expert stressed the call by Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari for people to leave the underground shelters a few minutes before the Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced the launch of another wave of missiles represents a major intelligence failure on the part of Israel.

Al-Duwairi added this latest attack reflects great coordination for Iran, adding the great silence that preceded the launch is a credit to Tehran as it was different from the attack last April.

Although the results of the strike and its losses are not yet known, Al-Duwairi said the at least 250 missiles cannot but cause losses.

Possibilities of others entering

Israel said it will respond to this attack regardless of the repercussions, while Iran’s UN mission warned any Israeli response to this attack will be met with a devastating response.

The strategic expert pointed out Iran is still committed not to strike any US military bases in Middle East region, and that the Ain al-Assad base was targeted by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq. He said this puts us in a state of great confusion.

He said this latest attack on Israel will lead to the erosion of the strategic gains Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu keeps boasting about and in saying he will change the shape of the Middle East.

He pointed out Iran has already sent a clear message that any counterattack to this one will be met with a devastating response, indicating Israel may be subjected to strikes from the Houthi Ansar Allah group in Yemen and from the Lebanese Hezbollah.

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