Iran Warns 'Stronger Response' to Any 'Reckless' Israeli Actions

Iran’s president has warned Israel against any "reckless" actions following its last night's drone and missile strikes.

“If the Zionist regime (Israel) or its supporters demonstrate reckless behaviour, they will receive a decisive and much stronger response,” Ebrahim Raisi said in a statement. 

The Israeli military said “very little damage” was caused by the strikes, and that over 99 per cent of the 300 drones and missiles were shot down by Israel and its allies. 

But, they added that the “campaign is not over yet”.

World leaders have condemned the attack, with regional powers Saudi Arabia and Egypt calling for restraint.

US president Joe Biden has told Benjamin Netanyahu that the US will not participate in any offensive operations.

Iran Launched an unprecedented direct attack on Israel, firing hundreds of missiles, rockets, and drones from both its territory and its proxies throughout the Middle East.

Reports indicate that US and British forces intercepted over 100 drones following the launch of hundreds from Iran.

According to Iranian state television, ballistic missiles were also fired in a coordinated strike aimed at Israeli air defenses.

🎥 بنا به گزارش خبرگزاری‌های دولتی در ایران، تصاویر منتشر شده مربوط به موشک‌های بالستیک شلیک شده توسط جمهوری اسلامی به سوی اسراییل است که بر فراز آسمان‌های عراق مشاهده گردیده است.#اطلاع_رسانی #اخبار_ایران pic.twitter.com/ZizR9cAYte

— ایران وایر (@iranwire) April 13, 2024

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corp said an hour later it had also launched ballistic missiles at “specific targets” in Israel as part of what it deemed “Operation True Promise”.

“In response to the numerous crimes committed by the Zionist regime … the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired dozens of missiles and drones at specific targets inside the occupied territories [Israel],” state TV quoted a Guards statement as saying.

The attack was anticipated to unfold over several hours. 

🎥 خبرگزاری ایسنا می گوید سپاه پاسداران انقلاب اسلامی پهپادهای خود را از مبدا بهبهان به سوی اسراییل فرستاده است.#اطلاع_رسانی #اخبار_ایران #اسراییل pic.twitter.com/xPsunVBZJu

— ایران وایر (@iranwire) April 13, 2024

The initial wave struck Israel around 2 am local time, triggering sirens across the country and causing visible and audible explosions in the sky in numerous locations. 

Key areas such as the commercial hub Tel Aviv, the contested city of Jerusalem, and Dimona, the desert city housing Israel’s nuclear facility, all seemed to have been targeted.

The Iranian foreign ministry warned that more attacks might happen.

🎥 روزنامه ایران وابسته به دولت جمهوری اسلامی ایران در حساب رسمی خود در شبکه ایکس (توییتر سابق) ویدئویی منتشر کرده که می گوید پهپادهای شلیک شده جمهوری اسلامی در آسمان کردستان عراق مشاهده شده است.#اطلاع_رسانی #اخبار_ایران #ایران_اسراییل pic.twitter.com/0N6uB9FGxB

— ایران وایر (@iranwire) April 13, 2024

They stated, "Iran will take necessary steps to defend its interests if needed, against any aggressive actions or unlawful force."

Iran has issued a warning against potential Israeli or American retaliatory strikes.

"The terrorist American government is hereby cautioned that any interference harming Iran's interests will provoke a decisive and regretful response from the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Iran said.

در حالی که صهیونیست‌ها به‌شدت تلاش می‌کنند نشان دهند که پدافندشان توانسته تعداد زیادی از موشک‌های ایرانی را رهگیری کند، اکنون با یک دردسر جدی مواجه شده‌اند؛ فیلم‌هایی که شهروندان فلسطینی از اصابت موشک‌ها تهیه و منتشر کرده‌اند. pic.twitter.com/lFndEYaD8K

— خبرگزاری فارس (@FarsNews_Agency) April 14, 2024

"Additionally, America holds responsibility for the nefarious deeds of the Zionist regime. If this regime, known for its violence against children, is not restrained in the region, it will face consequences."

Iran has also cautioned neighboring countries against permitting their territories to be used for attacks against Iran.

Israelis have been told to ‘‘be alert’’ and prepare to take shelter, as the country takes safety measures including closing schools.

Iran Launches Over 150 Missiles at Israeli Targets, Maariv Reports

More than 150 missiles have been fired at #Israeli targets, according to Maariv, citing sources from the Zionist regime.

Assessments from Zionist regime sources indicate that 150 #Iranian missiles have been… pic.twitter.com/rfaYUtaIWB

— Tasnim News Agency (@Tasnimnews_EN) April 14, 2024

Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesman, warned that ‘‘no matter where the threat is launched from, when an alarm sounds you must enter the shelter and wait there for no less than ten minutes’."

‘‘Starting tomorrow, throughout the country, there will be no educational activity,’’ he said.

Yemen’s Houthi militia, and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, also said overnight they had joined the attack against Israel.

For nearly two weeks, there's been speculation about how Tehran or its allies would react to the April 1 strike on an Iranian diplomatic building in Damascus. 

This strike resulted in the death of Gen Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior figure in Iran's Revolutionary Guards, and six other officers.

Israeli officials rarely claim responsibility for attacks abroad, but Tehran has accused Israel of carrying out this strike.

Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, has vowed to retaliate against Israel for the attack. 

Israeli officials, on the other hand, have warned that they would directly strike Iran if it retaliated from its territory. 

This back-and-forth has escalated tensions significantly.

Iran has never reacted as strongly to past attacks, like numerous secret Israeli actions on its land, or the US killing of Qassem Soleimani, a top Quds Force leader, in Iraq in 2020.