Tel Aviv officials with knowledge of the developments said on Wednesday that Israel would reportedly “take very significant retaliatory measures within a few days”. It comes a day after Iran launched an attack of nearly 200 ballistic missiles targeting Israel on Tuesday night.
Israel will likely target Iran’s major oil producing facilities and may even attack Iran’s major power plants. If this indeed happens, it would deal a blow to Iran’s economy, already stressed by US sanctions, as well as its infrastructure and energy security. Israel may further target other strategic locations of Iran as well.
Following Iran’s ballistic missile attacks – the most intense escalation since the start of the Israel-Hamas war a year ago – Israel and Iran are on the verge of opening a new and far more dangerous front to the Middle East crisis.
How can Israel respond to Iran’s missile attack?
While Israel has vowed to respond forcefully to the missile attack, Iran has also promised to strike again if Israel responds forcefully to Tehran’s missile attack. Tel Aviv has reportedly said that if Iran responds with a second attack, Israel will explore all options available to it, including destroying all of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
According to a news report from Axios, Israel would then also consider the option of airstrikes on Iran’s strategic facilities to destroy its infrastructure, as well as launching covert operations throughout Iran – such as Tehran Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in .
In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar said, “I believe the response (to Iran’s missile attack) will be very structured, strategic and pin-point or precise strikes.”
Senior Israeli officials believe the response could also take the form of “targeted killings of extremists and fundamentalists”. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s direct address to the people of Iran, “Israel stands with you. You will soon be free” is being seen by many as an indirect message indicating regime change in Iran.
A Courage for Israel
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has already been taken to a safe house at an undisclosed location. News reports claimed that the recent ballistic missile attack on Israel was a direct order from the Supreme Leader, approved by the top decision-making body in Tehran.
However, Iran’s supreme leader has reportedly issued an open challenge to Israel by saying he will lead thousands of Iranians for Friday Islamic prayers in Tehran. This can be seen as audacity on the part of Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Iran’s missile attack as a “big mistake” and said Tehran would pay a price. He said, “Iran has made a huge mistake and will have to pay a price for it. The Iranian regime does not understand our determination to defend ourselves and our determination to take revenge on our enemies.”
The Israeli Defense Forces, or IDF, spokesman, RADM, called it a “serious and dangerous escalation.” Daniel Hagari said, “There will be consequences. We will respond wherever, whenever and however we choose, as directed by the Government of Israel.”
