Israeli Military Vows Unprecedented Iranian Attack Will ‘Be Met With a Response’
The Israeli military on Monday announced that it will retaliate against Iran’s unprecedented drone and missile attack on the country over the weekend, which was successfully defended against and caused only minor damage.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi unequivocally announced the Iranian attack, the first ever on Israel launched from Iranian soil, “will be met with a response.”
“Iran wanted to harm the strategic capabilities of the State of Israel — that is something that had not happened before. We were prepared for the ‘Iron Shield’ operation — preparation that brought Iran to also meet air superiority,” Halevi said in a statement from the Nevatim Airbase, which suffered minor damage in the Iranian attack.
“Last Monday, we saw what was being organized, and we think that the State of Israel is very strong and knows how to deal with it alone, but with a threat so numerous and so far away, we are always happy to have [the United States] with us,” Halevi added, referring to the U.S. and regional allies helping to shoot down the Iranian drones and missiles.
“We are looking ahead, we are considering our steps, and this launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles, and UAVs into the territory of the State of Israel will be met with a response,” Halevi concluded.
CNN contributor Barak Ravid reported on Halevi’s statement, noting, “IDF chief of staff General Herzi Halevi said on Monday during a visit to an F-35 squadron at the Nevatim air base which was hit in the Iranian attack that “Israel is considering its next steps and the launch of so many missiles and drones to Israeli territory will be answered with a retaliation.”
Iran’s permanent mission to the United Nations released a statement following its attack on Israel, which was in retaliation to an Israeli bombing that killed top-ranking Iranian Revolutionary Guard leaders in Damascus earlier in the month.
“The matter can be deemed concluded. However, should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe,” read the statement.
The Biden administration told Israel to “take the win” following its successful defense of the Iranian attack and is joining with allies in urging restraint to ensure the situation doesn’t escalate to a large-scale regional war.
