Iran vows to strike with weapon ‘never used before’ as Israel pledges they won’t ‘get off scot-free’ after missile blitz
Israel told Iran today they won’t get off “scot-free” for the attacks as the world waits with bated breath for their response amid fears of an “uncontrollable war” across the Middle East.
It comes as the US now believes Israel is planning a “narrow and limited strike” inside Iran.
But Iranian security chief Abolfazl Amouei last night warned that if Israel does respond then Tehran is “prepared to use a weapon that we have never used”.
It is unclear what weapon Amouei was referring to, but he warned Israel to “act wisely” as it considers its next steps.
A chief IDF spokesman responded to the threats, vowing that Iran will face retaliation.
IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said: “We cannot stand still from this kind of aggression, Iran will not get [off] scot-free with this aggression.
“We will respond in our time, in our place, in the way that we will choose.”
A senior administration official and another source familiar with the intelligence told CNN they understood Israel were considering attack Iran with a “limited strike”.
The official told the US broadcaster: “We would hope that they would give us some warning so that we’re prepared to protect our personnel, not just military but diplomatic throughout the region.”
Rishi Sunak tonight warned Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu against “further significant escalation” in Tel Aviv’s response to Iran’s attack.
He tweeted: “Earlier today I spoke to Prime Minister @netanyahu and reiterated our support for Israel’s security following Iran’s reckless attack at the weekend.
“Further significant escalation will only deepen instability in the region.
“This is a moment for calm heads to prevail.”
Colonel Hamish de-Bretton Gordon, a weapons and defence expert, said that Iran could be hinting at unleashing nuclear, biological and chemical warfare.
Yet, the retired army officer told The Sun: “It is unlikely that Iran has some new, wonderful weapon that nobody knows about that could really have an impact against Israel or the West.
“What I take from this is further bluster from Iran. They’re obviously desperately concerned that the Israelis are going to hit them back hard.”
On Saturday night, Iran attacked Israel with a wave of at least 330 ballistic and cruise missiles and drones – the first ever direct attack by Tehran on its enemy.
Iran had promised retaliation for a deadly strike on its consulate building in Damascus earlier this month, but its barrage failed to get through Israel’s defences.
Israel Iron Dome defence system and its allies warplanes – including the UK’s RAF Typhoons – shot down 99 per cent of the projectiles.
In response, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Ali Bagheri, raged last night: “If the enemy makes another mistake…they should know they will not have 12 days and Iran’s response speed will be less than a few seconds”.
Iran also yesterday vowed to launch ten times the amount of missiles in a fresh strike against Israel if it unleashes a retaliatory hit.
An attack ten times the size would see over 3,300 weapons hurled at Israel, including more than 1,400 missiles.
The recent threats mark another escalation in the blazing power battle between the two foes that is threatening to spark an all-out war across the region.
But Israel appears undeterred by Tehran’s warnings as it confirmed again last night it will strike back.
De-Bretton Gordon argued that Iran’s warnings are a clear sign of its fear.
“I think this is a cry from Tehran,” he said, adding that the nefarious state will do all it can “to persuade Israel to do nothing and draw a line under it”.
“It’s clear that the Iranian air defence system is nowhere near capable of what Israel and her allies put together.
“Iran could take a heck of a thumping and it might well be that Israel decide to take out their nuclear capability as well.”
IRAN’S NUKE SITES
This is the fear of the UN’s nuclear watchdog chief who said yesterday he is “concerned” that Israel may target Iran’s nuclear sites.
Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) urged “extreme restraint” from Israel.
He revealed that Iran temporarily closed its nuclear facilities over “security considerations” in the wake of its missile and drone attack.
They reopened on Monday but inspectors were kept away “until we see that the situation is completely calm”.
Iran has long said its nuclear programme is peaceful but Western countries accuse Tehran of attempting to build nuclear bombs.
It comes as Israel Defence Forces (IDF) chief of staff, Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, said Israel will respond to Iran’s barrage – bolstering other Israel’s military’s comments they will launch a “significant response”.
“This launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles and drones into Israeli territory will be met with a response,” he said in the clearest confirmation that Israel was plotting a revenge strike.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu met with his war cabinet for a second time yesterday after already hinting that plans had been drawn up – without specifying their nature or scale.
However, a leak from the PM’s crunch talks suggest Israel is planning a “painful” strike that does not cause casualties.
Netanyahu has reportedly asked the IDF to compile a list of targets that Israel could choose to hit that the US would not object to.
Israel had said it reserves the right to strike Iran “at a manner and time” of its own choosing and told the UN that Iran “crossed every red line” in its attack.
But the question on everyone’s lips is how will Israel choose to respond.
The Sun also told of the five major ways Israel may choose to respond – from fighter jet blitz on Tehran’s nuclear facilities to a submarine strike or large-scale cyberattacks.
WORLD’S RESPONSE
As Iran braces for Israel’s “significant” response, world leaders have pushed for calm to avoid further escalation.
PM Rishi Sunak has demanded Israel show restraint in response to Iran’s onslaught, calling out Tehran for its “reckless and dangerous escalation” that is the work of a “despotic regime”.
A joint statement by the G7 also urged for caution, fearing an “uncontrollable” war in the region.
UK foreign minister David Cameron said this morning that Iran’s attack was significant and Israel has “every right to respond”.
While he urged caution to “avoid escalation”, he said Israel would “make their own decisions”.
The IDF announced on Sunday night they had approved “both offensive and defensive actions” – but did not reveal further detail.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told an emergency Security Council meeting on Sunday: “The Middle East is on the brink.
“The people of the region are confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict. Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate.”
Source » thesun.co.uk
