Many world leaders have called for a reduction in tensions following Iran's large-scale airstrikes against Israel on Tuesday, and many have expressed deep concern about the prospect of a broader regional conflict.
Iran fired several waves of ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday night in a sudden attack that raised the likelihood of a direct all-out war between two of the Middle East's most powerful militaries.
Iran said the attack was in response to Israel's assassination of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. Hezbollah, an ally of Iran, faces an ongoing war with Israel that has killed dozens of Hezbollah leaders in the past week. Israel has also announced a ground invasion of Lebanon to fight Hezbollah.
Israel attacked Lebanon from the air throughout Tuesday and continued attacks even after the Iranian missile attacks.
The Israeli military said Iran fired about 180 missiles during its assault, a significant barrage that forced Israelis to take shelter in bomb shelters for more than an hour, according to the New York Times.
Many of the missiles were intercepted by Israel's air defense system, while some fell in central and southern Israel, according to the Israeli military.
Tehran confirmed it launched dozens of missiles at Israel and warned of additional strikes if Israel retaliates.
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The attack has generated a reaction from the international community. Both the UN and the EU have reiterated their calls for a ceasefire, and the UN Security Council will meet tomorrow, Wednesday.
Reactions
The White House said US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are monitoring the Iranian attack on Israel from the White House Situation Room and receiving regular updates from their national security team.
Biden said he ordered the U.S. military to help defend Israel against Iranian attacks and shoot down missiles targeting Israel, adding that the United States “fully, fully, fully supports” Israel. Based on current information, Biden said the attack appears to have been “defeated and ineffective.”
In a televised briefing, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the United States was working with Israel to ensure the attack had consequences for Iran.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada unequivocally condemns Iran's reckless attack on Israel. “We fully support Israel's right to defend itself from this attack. And we repeat our call for a reduction in tensions throughout the region, for the safety of all civilians,” he wrote in X.
The BBC reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran “made a big mistake tonight and will pay for it.” The Israeli prime minister said Iran “does not understand” his country's “determination” to retaliate against its enemies.
“They will understand,” he said. “We will respect the rule we established: whoever attacks us, we will attack.”
The EU condemned in the “strongest terms” Iran's missile attack on Israel, according to European Commission Vice President Josep Borrell.
In a post on X, Borrell said: “The dangerous cycle of attacks and retaliation risks getting out of control. An immediate ceasefire is necessary throughout the region.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also condemned Iran's attack on Israel “in the strongest terms” during a call with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu this afternoon.
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Starmer “expressed the UK's strong commitment to Israeli security and the protection of civilians,” a spokesman for the Prime Minister told the BBC.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian defended Iran's attack tonight and warned Israel in a post on X.
Pezeshkian said that based on Iran's “legitimate rights” for the purpose of “peace and security for Iran and the region,” Israel was given a “decisive” response “in defense of Iranian interests and citizens.”
He said Israel should know that “Iran is not a warmonger, but will firmly oppose any threat.” Pezeshkian warned Israel that tonight's attack was just a “glimpse” of Iran's capabilities. He warned Israel not to “come into conflict” with Iran.
The Palestinian group Hamas, which has been at war with Israel for more than a year, praised Iran's “heroic” missile attack on Israel. In a statement, the group, which fights Israel in Gaza, said: “We congratulate” the rocket launches carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iran “against large areas of our occupied lands.”