AFPEAn Iranian walks past an anti-Israel billboard in Tehran
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 13:03
Iran has “the right and obligation” to defend itself against “aggressive acts” from outside. This is what the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in response to last night’s Israeli airstrikes. Two soldiers were killed in the attacks on the west of the capital Tehran, according to Iran. At the same time, the ministry also says it recognizes its “responsibilities in regional peace and security.” The tension between the two countries is rising, but this is happening gradually.
A senior US official says the US is “fully prepared to defend Israel” if Iran chooses to retaliate. According to that official, there will also be consequences “if Iran makes that unfortunate decision.” “But as far as we’re concerned, it should stay at this.”
Little is clear about a possible new retaliation by Iran. The Iranian news agency Tasnim, which has close ties with the influential Revolutionary Guards, quotes sources using the usual rhetoric. They declare that Iran is ready to respond to “Israeli aggression.” “There is no doubt that Israel can expect a proportionate response,” the sources said.
Military targets
The Israeli retaliation had been in the air for weeks, since Israel itself was bombarded with almost 200 missiles by Iran on October 1. Three air bases were hit and this retaliatory attack also appears to have targeted military targets, such as locations where missiles and drones are produced.
It is still difficult to get an idea of the extent of the damage the morning after the attack. According to Israel, the action was successful, Iran itself speaks of limited damage. Images shared on social media show a drone factory in Shamsabad, south of Tehran, coming under fire. The images have been verified by the NOS:
Iranian sources told The New York Times that one of the targets was the S-300 defense system at the international airport near Tehran. This system can be used to shoot cruise missiles out of the sky. At least three Revolutionary Guard rocket bases are said to have come under fire in the province of the same name.
Iran’s air force says military bases have been attacked in three provinces: one near Tehran and two near the Iraqi border. State media report that the city of Tehran itself was not affected. The explosions did take place close to the metropolis, so residents could see and hear them. Syria’s state news agency said Israeli missiles also hit military bases in central and southern Syria.
These are images from last night from Tehran:
Explosions heard over Tehran after Israel attack
In any case, Iran’s oil and energy infrastructure and the country’s nuclear facilities have not come under attack, according to US media. This is probably the result of the pressure the US has exerted on Israel to keep the attack limited in scope.
According to Israeli media, Tehran was informed by Israel last night of the impending air strikes, which also warned Iran not to retaliate. The US has also been informed in advance, the Pentagon said.
Minister Veldkamp spoke with an Iranian colleague
Foreign Minister Veldkamp spoke with his Iranian counterpart last night about the increased tensions and called for restraint. “All parties must make efforts to prevent further escalation,” he said on X.
The American news site Axios reports that Israel warned Iran about the attacks through “several third parties” and that Veldkamp is one of those third parties. Diplomatic sources confirm Veldkamp’s involvement to the NOS.
He has reportedly had good diplomatic contacts with both Jerusalem and Tehran for a long time. Before Veldkamp became Minister of Foreign Affairs, he held various positions at that ministry for thirty years. He was, among other things, ambassador to Israel. The department does not want to discuss details of the conversation between Veldkamp and his Iranian colleague.
The escalation of the conflict between Iran and Israel dates back to early April, when Israel carried out an airstrike on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus. Thirteen people were killed, including two high-ranking Iranian soldiers. Iran responded two weeks later with the first direct attack on Israeli territory with some 300 missiles and drones, largely intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome missile shield.
In late July, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran in what is widely believed to have been an Israeli airstrike. In response to this and the Israeli offensives in Gaza and Lebanon, Iran fired another 200 rockets into Israel early this month.
