Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Iran would face consequences for its missile attack on Israel, which occurred amid escalating tensions in the region, Reuters reports.
Iran launched over 180 ballistic missiles, with claims that 90% successfully hit their targets, although no casualties were reported in Israel. Netanyahu stated that Israel would respond decisively, with threats of painful consequences for Iran, while Iran warned that any Israeli response would result in “vast destruction.” The attack is seen as retaliation for Israeli airstrikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, killing several Hezbollah leaders and resulting in significant casualties, with nearly 1,900 deaths and more than 9,000 injuries over the past year, primarily in recent weeks.
The US expressed full support for Israel, with US President Joe Biden condemning Iran’s attack as “ineffective” and indicating ongoing discussions about potential responses with Netanyahu. The Pentagon confirmed that US Navy warships intercepted several Iranian missiles targeting Israel.
Meanwhile, UN officials and the European Union called for an immediate ceasefire, highlighting the potential for a broader regional conflict.
