Retaliation announced

Israel’s Netanyahu: Iran will “pay” for attack

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, explosions could be heard and fire and smoke could be seen along the Beirut skyline.

(Bild: KameraOne)

Following the Iranian missile attack on his country, Israel's head of government Benjamin Netanyahu has announced retaliation. On Wednesday night, Israel once again attacked the Lebanese capital Beirut in its fight against the Hezbollah militia. Iran, meanwhile, warned Israel of a retaliatory strike and threatened a further violent response.

"Iran made a big mistake tonight and it will pay for it," Netanyahu said about the attacks and announced retaliation. 

"We will decide when we will claim the prize and demonstrate our precise and surprising attack capabilities," Israel's army chief Herzi Halevi also said. This would be done on the instructions of the government. The Israeli Chief of Staff did not say what exactly a retaliatory strike might look like.

Video: Netanyahu announces retaliation

Attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities possible
However, the "New York Times" reports, citing US officials, that Israel could attack Iranian nuclear facilities in a possible scenario. In particular, the enrichment facilities in Natanz, the heart of the Iranian program, could be targeted.

"Powerful attacks"
 "The air force continues to operate at full capacity," said military spokesman Daniel Hagari on Wednesday. They would "continue to strike powerfully" in the Middle East. He accused Iran of driving the Middle East towards "escalation".

An Israeli mobile artillery unit fires a shell from northern Israel towards Lebanon on Wednesday.

(Bild: AP)

(Bild: AP)

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, explosions were heard and fire and smoke could be seen along the Beirut skyline.

(Bild: KameraOne)

(Bild: AP)

Renewed attacks on Beirut
The Lebanese capital Beirut was once again the target of the latest attacks. The army attacked "terrorist targets in Beirut", it was announced early on Wednesday morning. The military did not give any details at first.

One fatality so far
The Iranian missile attacks had no impact on the operational capability of the air force. 200 missiles were fired at Israel, at least one person was killed and several were injured.

Nehammer: "Solidarity unwavering"
 ÖVP Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer condemned Tehran's attacks "in the strongest terms". "We emphatically reject any attempt to call into question our solidarity and partnership with the State of Israel. Our support and our commitment to Israel's security is and remains unshakeable," emphasized Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer late on Tuesday evening.

Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) told X: "Iran's entry into the war of the terrorist organizations Hamas and Hezbollah through massive rocket attacks against Israel is to be condemned in the strongest possible terms. It takes the region further to the brink of the abyss and threatens security and peace in the world."

Call for ceasefire
The European Union condemns Iran's attack on Israel. "The dangerous cycle of attacks and retaliation threatens to spiral out of control," wrote EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell on Platform X. An immediate ceasefire in the entire region is necessary. EU Council President Charles Michel expressed similar sentiments. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for "a ceasefire".