Iran Warns US: Any Israeli Attack on Iran Will Be Met With ‘Unconventional Response’
Iran has issued a stark warning to the United States, saying hat any Israeli attack on its territory will be met with an “unconventional response” that could include targeting Israeli infrastructure, Al Jazeera reports.
The message, delivered via Qatar as an intermediary, comes amid escalating regional tensions following Iran’s missile attack on Israel earlier this week.
Speaking exclusively to the news outlet, an Iranian official said that Tehran has informed Washington that “the phase of unilateral self-restraint has ended.” The official stressed that while Iran does not desire a regional war, it will take decisive action to protect its national security interests.
The Iranian message appears to be a direct response to President Joe Biden’s statement on Wednesday, where he affirmed Israel’s right to respond to the missile attack. Iran, in its communication, insists that Israel’s actions must be curbed and that its “unbridled madness” in the region cannot be tolerated.
The Iranian missile attack on Tuesday, which targeted military and security facilities in Israel, was launched in retaliation for Israeli strikes on the besieged Gaza Strip and Lebanon, as well as the killing of key figures in Hezbollah and Hamas. While the Israeli military claims that most of the 200 projectiles launched were intercepted, causing no casualties, the attack nonetheless highlighted the precarious state of regional security.
Israel’s response to the Iranian attack has been swift and severe. It launched ground troops into southern Lebanon in what it described as “limited” raids and has been continuously bombarding the country, including Beirut, for nearly two weeks. The attacks have resulted in over 1,000 deaths and the displacement of over 1 million Lebanese citizens.
Furthermore, Israel continues its year-long assault on Gaza, which has displaced 90% of the enclave’s population and exacerbated a severe humanitarian crisis. Over 41,000 Gazans have been killed, a majority women and children, according to Palestinian authorities.
