Our Response To Iran Missile Attacks Will Prioritize National Interest, Not US Opinion – Israel

Israel Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu said it will take the United States’ views into account but will respond to any Iranian missile attack based on its own “national interests.”

On October 1, Iran fired around 200 missiles at Israel in retaliation for an Israeli airstrike in Beirut that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Iranian General Abbas Nilforoushan.

Israel vowed to respond to the missile attack, with Defense Minister Gallant promising a “deadly, precise, and surprising” counterstrike.

U.S. President, Joe Biden has urged Israel not to target Iran’s nuclear or oil facilities, to prevent further regional escalation and avoid disrupting global energy markets.

A report from the Washington Post this week, citing unnamed U.S. officials, claimed that Netanyahu had assured the White House that any retaliation would be limited to military targets.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Netanyahu provided this assurance during a call with Biden last week, and in separate conversations between U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

However, Netanyahu dismissed the report in a statement on Tuesday, October 15, stating that Israel would act in its own best interest.

“We listen to the opinions of the United States, but we will make our final decisions based on our national interest,” the PM’s office said.

KanyiDaily recalls that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei claimed that the missile strikes on Israel were merely the “least punishment” and warned that Iran could strike again if necessary.