Israel Iran Latest: Iran says it has right to defend itself after Israeli strike kills soldiers

Jiyar Gol
BBC Persian Correspondent

Before today’s attack, Israeli media reported that Israel sent a message to Iran through a third party urging them not to retaliate.

Iran’s attacks on Israel on October 1 and Israel’s strikes on Iran today show that neither country is seeking full-scale war, and both are taking steps to minimize casualties. For example, Iran’s oil and nuclear facilities were deliberately avoided during the strikes.

Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari claimed the targets included missile production sites, surface-to-air missile sites and air defense systems, adding that “Israel now has greater aerial maneuverability over Iran.” The focus seems to be more on showing military influence than on doing serious damage.

Iranian state media claim that Israel is exaggerating the scale of today’s attacks on confidential websites. In April, the Iranian government denied an attack against Iranian air defenses near Isfahan, but last week General Jafari, a former commander of the Revolutionary Guards, admitted it had taken place, although he played down its impact.

In the coming days, many in Israel and Iran will be holding their breath to see if Iran will retaliate — if Iran refrains from responding, as it did after the Isfahan incident, or chooses a different course of action.