Netanyahu promises to respond to Iran’s missile attack
In those remarks that Benjamin Netanyahu delivered on Saturday evening, there were no specifics as to what Israel is going to target when it retaliates against Iran. But what we are hearing – not just from the prime minister but also from a lot of government ministers and other officials – is that Israel is committed to retaliating against Iran and that this strike will be severe, and that it will be strong.
Netanyahu said: “Iran has already twice launched hundreds of missiles on our land and on our cities in one of the largest ballistic missile attacks in history”. He said that “no country in the world would tolerate such an assault on its cities and civilians” and that “Israel has the obligation and the right to defend itself and to respond to these attacks”.
One of the other things I should mention is that Netanyahu was critical of French President Emmanuel Macron. That’s because Macron on Saturday suggested that world powers that are shipping armaments to Israel should perhaps stop doing so, in order to put political pressure on Israel to try to enter into a ceasefire.
That rankled Netanyahu, who essentially told Macron, “Shame on you”, and suggested to any other Western powers that such moves are absolutely unacceptable. He said that Israel would win this war whether they got the help from those world powers or not.
Israel’s Bennett calls for attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites
Naftali Bennett, a former Israeli prime minister and an ultranationalist politician, has expressed support for attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, as well as its leadership and oil facilities.
He was responding to calls by US President Joe Biden for a “proportionate” Israeli reaction to Iran’s missile attack last week.
“Israel must: – Attack Iran’s nuclear program, and: ⁃Attack Iran’s leadership, and: ⁃Hit and cripple the regime’s main economic interests (energy etc.),” Bennett said in a post on X.
“All of these would be only a fraction of what Iran did to Israel. So indeed it won’t be ‘proportional’, it’ll be much less,” he added.
Iran’s oil minister visits key terminal during Israel attack fears
Iran’s Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad landed on Kharg Island as concerns swirl that Israel could attack Iran’s largest oil terminal there.
“Paknejad arrived this morning in order to visit the oil facilities and meet operational staff located on Kharg Island,” the Oil Ministry’s news website Shana reported.
The oil terminal can store 23 million barrels of crude, it said.
China, which does not recognise US sanctions, is Tehran’s main client. Analysts say China imported 1.2 to 1.4 million barrels per day from Iran in the first half of 2024.
An oil production platform at the Soroush oil fields in the Gulf, 1,250km (776 miles) south of Tehran
Iran may end up like Gaza, Beirut: Israeli defence minister
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says Iran might end up looking like Gaza or Beirut if it tries to harm Israel. The comments come as Israel threatens to strike its arch-enemy after a huge missile attack last week.
“The Iranians did not touch the air force’s capabilities – no aircraft was damaged, no squadron was taken out of order,” Gallant said in a statement, referring to Iran’s attack that hit two Israeli airbases.
“Whoever thinks that a mere attempt to harm us will deter us from taking action should take a look at Gaza and Beirut.
“We are strong, both in defence and offence and we will bring this to fruition – in the way we choose, at the time we choose, in the place we choose. And these things for us … are not just a statement or just a direction but a working plan.”
