President Biden expresses optimism that Israel’s military action against Iran signals a turning point in escalating tensions.
Iran downplayed the recent air assault by Israel on its military assets, asserting that the damage inflicted was minimal. This comes as U.S. President Joe Biden urged for a cessation of hostilities that have escalated tensions in the Middle East into potentially dangerous territory.
In the early hours of yesterday, a multitude of Israeli fighter jets executed three separate waves of strikes targeting missile production facilities and other significant sites in the vicinity of Tehran and throughout western Iran, according to statements from Israel’s military.
The operation served as a reprisal for Iran’s missile attack on October 1, which unleashed around 200 ballistic missiles toward Israel. Following the latest Israeli offensive, Israel advised its formidable adversary not to retaliate.
In the aftermath of the air raids, Iran’s Foreign Ministry expressed indignation. They declared that Iran had both the “entitlement and obligation” to defend itself. However, they also acknowledged their responsibilities towards fostering peace and security in the region, adopting a notably more diplomatic tone than in past escalations.
President Biden optimistically suggested that the Israeli strikes on Iranian targets might mark the end of rising tensions.
“Enemy aircraft were thwarted from entering the airspace of our nation, and the strikes resulted in negligible damage,” stated Iran’s military joint chief in an official release.
The friction between Iran and Israel has escalated rapidly since the October 7, 2023 assault launched by Iran-backed Hamas against Israel, raising concerns of a broader regional conflict that could ensnare global powers and threaten international energy supplies.
For more insight on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, further readings are encouraged.
Meanwhile, escalating hostilities in Lebanon, where Israel is engaged in a vigorous campaign against Hezbollah—an ally of Iran—aimed at curbing rocket fire into northern Israel, have contributed to the heightened atmosphere of strife.
The United States, which previously urged Israel to refrain from attacking sensitive Iranian energy and nuclear facilities, joined other nations in calling for an end to the cycle of confrontation between Israel and Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the decision-making process behind selecting Iranian targets stemmed from Israel’s own national interests rather than directives from the United States.
Biden noted that the airstrikes predominantly targeted military installations and expressed hopes that these operations might signify a turning point toward de-escalation.
In light of the forthcoming presidential election on November 5, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris echoed the sentiment of the administration, asserting that “the United States firmly believes in the need to de-escalate.”
‘A Message to Iran’
Videos circulated by Iranian media depicted air defense systems in central Tehran vigorously engaging incoming projectiles, though they did not specify which locations were attacked.
Israel’s military asserted that its jets successfully struck facilities related to missile manufacturing and surface-to-air missile systems, returning safely after the operation.
“Should Iran make the grave error of instigating another wave of conflicts, we will have no choice but to respond,” voiced the military in a statement.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin cautioned Iran against miscalculating its response to Israeli airstrikes. He further emphasized the importance of exploring diplomatic avenues to ease tensions, particularly in Gaza and Lebanon, during a call with his Israeli counterpart.
In the aftermath of Iran’s missile attacks on Israel earlier this month, President Biden had already warned that the United States, as Israel’s primary supporter and weapons supplier, would not back any strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities. He advised Israel to weigh alternatives outside of targeting Iranian oil assets.
Arab nations located between Israel and Iran have expressed unease, fearing that their airspaces could be caught in the crossfire of any retaliation.
Turning to the situation in Lebanon, Israel’s military has relaxed certain safety measures for residents in northern Israel, suggesting a belief that immediate large-scale retaliatory attacks from Iran or its allies are unlikely.
This adjustment followed a thorough “situational assessment,” according to their statement.
However, Hezbollah has directed residents in over two dozen towns in northern Israel to evacuate immediately, labeling these areas as legitimate targets due to the presence of Israeli military forces.
Concurrently, Israel conducted strikes against Hezbollah positions in the southern Dahiyeh neighborhood of Beirut, hitting a site associated with weapons manufacturing as well as an intelligence unit.
The intensifying conflict in Lebanon, significantly ramped up in the last few weeks, has also led to attacks on sites linked to Iran and Hezbollah within Syria’s borders.
Efforts aimed at brokering a ceasefire and negotiating a hostage release in Gaza, which could contribute to reducing overall tensions, are slated to resume in Doha as negotiators prepare to travel there.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
