Iran has issued a warning of its own, stating that if Israel retaliates, “retaliation will be far stronger.”
Israel vs Iran War: Following Iran's missile attacks on Israel, global leaders are expressing increasing concerns that the conflict may escalate in the Middle East. Israel, meanwhile, is being urged to exercise patience. Iran fired approximately 200 missiles at Israeli military and civilian targets on Tuesday, using Iraqi and Syrian territory to launch the strikes.
The Israeli military claims to have neutralized 190 missiles in its airspace, with some exploding mid-air. Only one missile reached the Palestinian-populated West Bank, resulting in the death of a Palestinian civilian. The Israeli government has warned that it will respond decisively to the attack.
In contrast, Iran has issued a warning of its own, stating that if Israel retaliates, “retaliation will be far stronger.” Amid this tense atmosphere, global leaders are working to prevent further escalation between Iran and Israel.
Leaders from Germany, France, and Britain have advised U.S. President Joe Biden, via diplomatic channels, to avoid using aggressive rhetoric against Iran and to refrain from deploying the U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet near the Iranian port of Basra in the Arabian Gulf. The aim is to avoid giving Iran grounds to accuse the U.S. of setting up a military blockade near its waters.
It is worth noting that the U.S. has a longstanding rivalry with Iran and has historically supported Israel. A spokesperson for the U.S. President claimed on Tuesday that American warships had assisted Israel in neutralizing Iranian and Houthi missiles, and reaffirmed that the U.S. will continue to back Israel.
International experts believe that while the U.S. stance boosts Israel's confidence, it also increases the risk of the U.S. becoming further embroiled in the Middle Eastern conflict.
A direct ground war between Israel and Iran is geographically unlikely, as Iraq and Syria separate the two nations. Iran has therefore used groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Yemen’s Houthis to encircle Israel and position itself as a leading defender of the Islamic world in the Middle East. However, Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, demonstrated its reach in July when it successfully eliminated senior Hamas leader Ismail Hania in Tehran, reinforcing the notion that no part of Iran is beyond Israel’s reach.
Israel's ability to minimize damage in Tuesday’s missile attacks was due to an intelligence alert from Mossad that predicted the timing of the strikes. The warning allowed Israeli citizens to seek shelter in underground bunkers and roadside trenches.
Many European and Arab analysts argue that Iran's military capabilities are insufficient for sustaining a prolonged war with Israel. The lack of Israeli casualties could serve Israel’s interests if it chooses to avoid opening a new front and refrains from launching a strong counterattack.
Israel is already engaged in bloody conflicts with Hamas and Hezbollah, which have led to thousands of deaths, over 100,000 injuries, and economic losses amounting to billions, further exacerbating the humanitarian toll.
Despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s increasingly aggressive stance, many Israeli citizens are beginning to believe that even a complete defeat of Hamas or Hezbollah will not shield them from future terrorist attacks. The growing desire for peace within Israeli society could potentially pave the way for a more balanced resolution to the conflict.
