Netanyahu Issues Retaliation Warning: "Iran Made a Big Mistake... Will Pay the Price"

Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, declared on the 1st (local time) that he would retaliate against Iran's missile attack on his country.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

According to the Associated Press, Prime Minister Netanyahu convened a security cabinet meeting that night, stating, "Iran made a big mistake tonight," and "They will pay the price for it."

He also said that Iran's missile attack targeting Israel was a failure, warning, "Iran will soon receive a painful lesson, just as other enemies in regions like Gaza Strip (Hamas) and Lebanon (Hezbollah) have learned." He emphasized, "Iran does not understand our determination to protect ourselves and our resolve to retaliate against the enemy," adding, "Whoever attacks us, we will attack them."

Earlier, Iran launched a large-scale ballistic missile attack on Israel that evening. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps defined this missile launch as retaliation for the deaths of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and Abbas Nilforoushan, Deputy Commander of the Revolutionary Guard's Operations Department.

Notably, Iran's attack occurred at the time Israel began a ground military operation targeting southern Lebanon, a stronghold of the pro-Iranian armed faction Hezbollah. As Israel expanded the front targeting so-called 'Axis of Resistance' countries such as Gaza Strip, Lebanon's Hezbollah, and Yemen's Houthi rebels, Iran is also analyzed to have initiated retaliation. Since the assassination of Haniyeh, who visited Iran at the end of July, Iran has been warning of strong retaliation against Israel.

In this regard, U.S. President Joe Biden reaffirmed his 'support for Israel' and stated that he is actively discussing appropriate response measures. During a schedule related to typhoon damage response at the White House that day, President Biden said, "The attack was defeated and appears to have had no effect," adding, "This is evidence of the capabilities of the Israeli military and the U.S. military." He also mentioned that he would speak with Prime Minister Netanyahu, saying, "My message will depend on what we ultimately conclude is necessary."