Iran Declares Missile Attacks on Tel Aviv Over But Israel and US Vie for Retaliation

In an overnight escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, Iran on Wednesday declared that its missile strikes on Israel were over unless further provoked, even as Israel and the United States vowed retaliation. This development has intensified fears of a broader conflict in the region, potentially turning it into another World War.

Washington D.C. pledged to work with its ally, Israel, to ensure that Iran faces “severe consequences” for the attack, which Israel claims involved over 180 ballistic missiles. The United Nations Security Council has called an urgent meeting on Wednesday to address the situation, while the European Union has demanded an immediate ceasefire.

“We have completed our action unless the Israeli regime invites further retaliation. In that case, our response will be even stronger,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated on social media platform X early on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Israel continued its airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, a known Hezbollah stronghold, with at least a dozen attacks on Wednesday morning. These strikes followed Iran’s largest-ever military assault on Israel, with large plumes of smoke seen rising over the city. Evacuations in the area have been ongoing amid relentless bombings.

Iran’s missile barrage represents its most extensive military strike against Israel to date. Sirens blared across Israel, with explosions reported in Jerusalem and the Jordan River Valley, forcing the population into bomb shelters. While Israel reported no injuries, authorities in the West Bank confirmed one casualty.

Iran described the missile strike as a defensive response, targeting Israeli military facilities, with Tehran claiming that three Israeli military bases were hit. Iranian state media reported that the attack was in retaliation for Israel’s recent actions in Lebanon and Gaza, including the assassination of militant leaders.

Israel’s missile defense system intercepted most of the Iranian missiles with the help of a U.S.-led defense coalition, according to Israeli Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari. “This attack by Iran is a serious and dangerous escalation,” he warned.

Retaliation Fears Grip Global Nations 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing an emergency cabinet meeting, vowed retaliation. “Iran has made a grave mistake tonight, and it will pay the price,” he declared.

The Iranian military has warned that any Israeli response will lead to “vast destruction” of Israeli infrastructure and threats to regional allies. The Revolutionary Guards also claimed to have used hypersonic Fattah missiles for the first time, with a reported 90% success rate in hitting Israeli targets.

In response, U.S. naval forces fired interceptors to defend against Iranian missiles targeting Israel. U.S. President Joe Biden expressed full support for Israel and dismissed Iran’s attack as “ineffective.” Vice President Kamala Harris echoed Biden’s stance, asserting that the U.S. would defend its interests and punish Iran.

The situation has drawn international concern. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the escalating violence, calling for an immediate ceasefire. French President Emmanuel Macron and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also urged restraint, warning that the ongoing cycle of attacks and retaliations risks spiraling into a larger regional conflict.

With the death toll rising in Lebanon due to weeks of cross-border fighting, the world watches anxiously as tensions between Iran, Israel, and the U.S. threaten to ignite a wider war.

‘One Step Short of World War’, Warns Putin on France’s Idea of Deploying NATO Troops in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned the US-led NATO military alliance against deploying troops in Ukraine, stating that such action would bring the world “one step closer to a full-scale World War III.”

During a speech to his supporters and the media following his decisive presidential election victory, Putin hinted at the presence of fighters from NATO countries on Ukrainian soil.

“We hear both French and English speech there. There is nothing good in this, first of all for them, because they die there and in large numbers,” he was quoted by Russian media as saying. “Anything is possible in the modern world… But everyone knows that this would be one step shy of a full-scale World War III. I don’t think that anyone is interested in that.”

Putin emphasized that Moscow is well aware of NATO’s efforts to send troops to Ukraine, noting the presence of French and English speakers in the region. He expressed concerns about the consequences, particularly the loss of lives.

In response to French President Emmanuel Macron’s suggestion that the West might consider sending soldiers to assist Ukraine, Putin urged France to focus on de-escalating the conflict and aiding in finding a peaceful resolution.

In response to Macron’s stance, French politicians criticized his interview expressing support for Ukraine. Elina Valtonen, Finland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs said that Western nations, including the US, should not completely dismiss the possibility of deploying troops to Ukraine if the situation deteriorates.

Even Antonio Tajani, Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, rebuffed French President Emmanuel Macron’s suggestion of deploying Western troops to Ukraine, stating, as reported by media outlets.

He asserted that it “would be a mistake” for NATO to send troops to Ukraine, emphasizing that it is a nation “we must help defend,” as cited by a report from Ukrainska Pravda.

“To enter into war with Russia would mean the threat of World War III,” Tajani remarked. “Our military is effectively fulfilling their duties in the Red Sea to protect our ships; they are also operating efficiently in Lebanon, Africa, and Iraq. Our armed forces uphold peace, security, and freedom. We are not at war with Russia.”