Israel will make good on its vow to retaliate to Iran's missile attack and it could happen within days, said a report quoting Israeli officials. This could come in the form of airstrikes on Iran's nuclear or oil production facilities and other strategic sites.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Tehran of severe consequences, adding that "Iran made a big mistake tonight - and it will pay for it."
Israel's retaliation to Iran's rocket attacks in April was limited to just targetting IRGC's S-300 air defence battery, thereby ending the exchange of direct attacks. However, this time around the Israeli retaliation will be much more significant, Israeli officials told US-based Axios.
While Iran's oil facilities as a likely target, targeted assassinations and taking out Iran's air defence systems are also possibilities, the officials added. Another possibility is a clandestine operation like the one that killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran two months ago.
Also read: Iran fires 181 missiles at Israel; Netanyahu warns 'they will pay for it'
The Israeli security cabinet convened on Tuesday at an underground government bunker inside a mountain near Tel Aviv. Though there was an understanding that there would be an Israeli military response, the meeting ended without a clear decision on what that would be. This was because Israel wanted to consult with the Biden administration and coordinate its plans with the US as Tel Aviv needed defensive cooperation with U.S. Central Command, including munitions and operational support.
US President Biden has vowed to support Israel and said he will speak with Netanyahu about the response. The call could take place on Wednesday several hours before the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah, the report added.
Pezeshkian's message to Netanyahu
Amid the rocket attack, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has a message for Netanyahu. He said while Iran was not belligerent, it stood firmly against any threat. "Based on legitimate rights and with the aim of peace and security for Iran and the region, a decisive response was given to the aggression of the Zionist regime," Pezeshkian wrote on his X account. "This action was in defence of the interests and citizens of Iran," he added.
"This is only a corner of our power. Do not enter into a conflict with Iran," he further added.
Iran has also warned the US not to intervene in any response, stating that it did not communicate with the US after the attack.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said: "Before the attack, there was no exchange of messages,” Araghchi told state TV, adding that Iran communicated with the US after the attack. "We have… warned the US forces to withdraw from this matter and not to intervene,” Araghchi said. The message was relayed through the Swiss embassy in Tehran.