No action planned

Iran on Israel counter-attack: “Not worth mentioning”

Nasser Kanaani, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry

(Bild: Iranian Foreign Ministry via AP)

Following the suspected Israeli counter-attack on an airbase in central Iran, there is concern that the conflict in the Middle East could escalate further. However, Iran apparently does not want to pursue this strike any further: "The incident was a diversionary maneuver and not worth mentioning," said Foreign Office spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Monday.

"We will therefore not pursue it any further," Kanaani continued. The action was so insignificant that the Israelis themselves did not want to take responsibility for it, the spokesman said according to the IRNA news agency. Kanaani emphasized that Iran did not want an escalation of tensions in the region. At the same time, however, the country would once again consistently respond to any aggression on the part of Israel.

Israel limits retaliation after international appeals
According to a media report, Israel had originally planned a more comprehensive attack against Iran. This was reported by the New York Times, citing three high-ranking Israeli government officials. According to the report, several military targets in Iran were to be bombed, including near the Iranian capital Tehran. Following appeals from the USA, Germany and Great Britain, Israel ultimately decided on a limited strike.

According to Iranian reports, the air defense system fired at unspecified targets at a nuclear facility in Isfahan.

(Bild: Tasnim/kameraOne)

According to consistent media reports, Israel carried out an attack against Iran last Friday. According to the "New York Times", an air force base in the province of Isfahan, not far from Iranian nuclear facilities, was hit by a missile. Israel is not officially commenting on the attack and Iran is playing it down.

Israel's strike was a demonstration
The limited strike enabled Iran to refrain from a counter-response, the newspaper continued. The Israeli air force had deliberately destroyed a second missile in order to avoid major damage. According to the report, the military strike was intended to show that Israel was capable of attacking Iran without penetrating its airspace. The province of Isfahan was also deliberately chosen. Important facilities of the Iranian arms industry are located there, as well as the Natanz nuclear facility, where Iran enriches uranium up to 60 percent.

Reaction after attack by 300 Iranian drones
Israel's military strike followed an attack by Iran on Israel with more than 300 drones and missiles on April 13. This was preceded by the death of two Iranian generals in an attack on an embassy building in the Syrian capital Damascus. This attack was attributed to Israel. It is a long-standing practice of Israel not to comment publicly on reports of military operations abroad. Many countries expressed concern over the incidents and warned of an escalation of the situation in the Middle East.