TIT FOR TAT: Israel vows to respond to Iran's retaliatory missile and drone strikes

By arseniotoledo // 2024-04-18

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The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has vowed to respond to Iran's retaliatory mass missile and drone barrage on the evening of April 13. Iran launched nearly 350 drones and missiles against Israel in retaliation for Tel Aviv's April 1 airstrike on the Iranian embassy in Syria that killed several Iranian citizens, including a high ranking general within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' special forces unit, the Quds Force. The IDF claims most of the missiles and drones were intercepted outside of Israel with the help of anti-air defenses operated by the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Two Israeli airbases were struck, damaging at least one military aircraft. One Israeli civilian was injured by shrapnel, and several dozen others were treated for minor injuries. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said on Monday, April 15, that the Iranian attack was Tehran's first-ever attack on Israel launched from Iranian soil and that it "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," said Halevi. "We were prepared for the 'Iron Shield' operation –" the name of the Israel and allied operation to intercept Iranian drones and missiles – "preparation that brought Iran to also meet our air superiority." "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 U.S. with us," continued Halevi. "We are looking ahead, we are considering our steps, and this launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles and UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] into the territory of the State of Israel will be met with a response."

Biden warns: No U.S. support for Israeli retaliatory strike against Iran

On the same day as Halevi's statement, the Israeli war cabinet convened to discuss its potential response. Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant has already informed U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin that Israel "has no choice" but to respond. Gallant reportedly told Austin that Israel can't let ballistic missiles strike Israeli territory unanswered and that Tel Aviv can't accept an equation in which Iran responds with a direct attack every time Israel strikes Iranian targets in Syria. (Related: Iran warns of retaliation against U.S. forces in the Middle East if Biden supports Israel militarily.) At around the same time, Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian reportedly told Israel through British Foreign Secretary David Cameron that Tehran does not want escalation, but if Israel "seeks adventure, our next response will be immediate, stronger and more extensive." In a different statement Tehran released to the United Nations, Iran heavily emphasized how its non-lethal strike against Israel was a retaliatory measure in response to Tel Aviv's bombing of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, and that at this point Tehran believes this whole ordeal can be finished. "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, which highlighted how this conflict was solely between Israel and Iran and that the U.S. should avoid intervening. The administration of President Joe Biden is reportedly of the same mind as Tehran, believing that there shouldn't be any response to Iran's strike. Biden, through Austin, reportedly conveyed a message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and warned him that the U.S. would not participate in any Israeli counterstrike against Iran, stressing the need to do everything possible to avoid further escalation. "You got a win. Take the win," Biden told Netanyahu. But at the same time, the Biden administration stressed that it is committed to supporting Israel. U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Robert Wood even went so far as to call for the UN Security Council to unequivocally condemn Iran's attack in a statement that avoided mentioning support for an Israeli retaliation. "Let me be clear: If Iran or its proxies take actions against the United States or further action against Israel, Iran will be held responsible," he said. The White House, through Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, is also speaking with their counterparts in the region, including in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan, stressing the need to avoid escalation and the importance of a coordinated diplomatic response. "Strength and wisdom must be the two sides of the same coin," Blinken said in a message directed at Israel intended to pressure it against responding. Watch this episode of the "Health Ranger Report" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, discusses how Iran's retaliatory strike on Israel was a successfully coordinated "war theater," and the real conflict between Israel and Iran has yet to occur. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

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Biden warns: No U.S. support for Israeli retaliatory strike against Iran

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