Tel Aviv: Tensions in the Middle East are reaching a critical point as Israel prepares a military response to Iran’s missile strike earlier this week, fueling fears of a broader regional conflict. An Israeli military official, speaking anonymously, confirmed on Saturday that Israel is planning a counterstrike after what was described as an “unprecedented and unlawful” Iranian attack. The specific nature and timing of Israel’s response remain undisclosed, but reports suggest that the goal will be to deliver a significant blow to Iran, even as international calls for restraint persist.
President Isaac Herzog addressed the situation, marking the one-year anniversary of Hamas’s unprecedented October 7 assault on Israel. Herzog emphasized that Israel continues to face ongoing threats from Iran and its proxies. “We are still living in the aftermath of October 7,” Herzog said, adding that Iran, blinded by hatred, remains bent on the destruction of Israel.
In response to Israel’s potential retaliation, Iran’s foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi took to social media, issuing a stern warning that any aggression from Israel would be met with a “stronger” response. Following discussions with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Araghchi reiterated Iran’s commitment to the Resistance and signaled that Tehran’s response would escalate proportionally to any Israeli action. “For every attack, there will be an equal or stronger reaction,” he stated.
The escalation began when Iran, in only its second direct military engagement with Israel, fired 200 missiles at the country, reportedly in retaliation for Israel’s targeted killings of militant leaders. The missile strike, which led to one death in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and damage to an airbase, marked a significant turning point. The attack occurred as Israel’s ground forces conducted raids into Lebanon, transforming what had been months of cross-border exchanges into a full-scale conflict with Hezbollah, Iran’s ally.
In a related development, Hezbollah reported losing contact with Hashem Safieddine, expected to be the group’s next leader, after Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut earlier this week. The group has yet to announce a successor following the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s leader, in an Israeli airstrike last month, a move that partly provoked Iran’s missile retaliation.
As violence in Lebanon and Gaza continues to escalate, observers like Sina Toossi from the Centre for International Policy warn that both Israel and Iran are taking substantial risks. “Everything hinges on Israel’s response,” Toossi said, noting that further escalations could spiral into a wider regional conflict. Already, Hezbollah has increased its rocket fire, while Iran’s allies as far as Yemen have launched strikes on Israel.
The potential for a broader conflict has drawn international attention, with US President Joe Biden warning Israel against targeting Iran’s oil facilities, fearing the consequences of an all-out war. Biden, who has a strained relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urged Israel to consider alternatives, cautioning that strikes on Iran’s oil infrastructure could destabilize global markets. Despite Biden’s attempts to rally international efforts toward de-escalation, former President Donald Trump, now campaigning for re-election, suggested that Israel should target Iran’s nuclear sites directly.
In his remarks, Biden acknowledged the difficulty in managing the current crisis, citing the irrational behavior of Iranian-backed groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis in Yemen. Though Biden hasn’t spoken directly to Netanyahu since the missile attack, he emphasized that the US continues to support Israel but urged restraint in its next steps.
As tensions build, the global community watches closely to see if Israel’s response will escalate the situation further, or if diplomatic efforts can manage to cool this volatile standoff.
