In the aftermath of its attack on Israel over the weekend, Iranian leaders warned that if the targeted nation retaliated the response would be even more severe.
Israel’s robust missile-interception system prevented the vast majority of roughly 200 drones and cruise missiles from reaching their targets, some ballistic missiles were able to bypass the defenses, leading to at least a dozen injuries including a 7-year-old girl who required intensive care at a southern Israel hospital.
IRAN FOUND OUT‼️
▪️185/185 Kamikaze drones shot down.
▪️103/110 Ballistic missiles shot down.
▪️36/36 Cruise missiles shot down.
▪️324 out of 331 missiles and drones launched by Iran were shot down.
Congratulations to the IDF, IAF and staunch allies for a job well done! pic.twitter.com/mNKdO1kQOx
— Harry Theocharous (@TheocharousH) April 14, 2024
Although some Israelis were venturing back out into the streets as of Sunday, they did so with utmost caution.
“We are afraid of what is happening and all of the bombing and aircraft that are coming,” said Ayala Salant, who described the situation as “really frightening.”
Despite the few missiles that did get through, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari of the Israeli military said that the overwhelming success of its defense system — along with assistance from the U.S. and other militaries — meant that “the Iranian attack was foiled.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the bombardment with a social media statement predicting his nation’s ultimate victory.
“We intercepted, we repelled, together we shall win,” he wrote.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant offered an even more direct response early Sunday, insisting that the “campaign is not over yet” and his nation “must be prepared for every scenario.”
As for the impact of the Iranian bombardment, he added: “Overnight, the whole world saw the true face of Iran — a terrorist state that attacked the State of Israel from a distance of 1,500 km and in doing so also attempted to employ all of its proxies. On the other hand, the world also saw the power of a coalition, and how Israel, together with the United States and additional partners, stood together and thwarted this attack.”
Meanwhile, Iran’s leaders issued a clear warning to Israel against a response to the attack, which it characterized as a reaction to an air strike earlier this month on an Iranian consulate in Damascus.
“If the Zionist regime or its supporters demonstrate reckless behavior, they will receive a decisive and much stronger response,” insisted Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.
Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the Iranian armed forces chief of staff, released a similarly ominous statement, declaring: “Our response will be much larger than tonight’s military action if Israel retaliates against Iran.”
