Iran's president pledges "wise and measured" response to Israel Global de-escalation calls continue

Iran has vowed to respond to a recent Israeli missile strike, even though the attack did not cause significant damage, according to Esmail Kousari, a member of Iran’s parliamentary National Security Committee.

“Israel’s failed operation does not mean Iran will not respond. The Zionist regime must pay for violating our territorial integrity,” Kousari told Fars News, according to Caliber.Az.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian echoed these sentiments, calling Israel’s actions a serious provocation. “Iran’s people stand fearlessly in defence of their land, and any foolish actions will be met with a calculated and deliberate response,” Pezeshkian said on social media, offering condolences to Iranian military personnel and their families.

Iran’s military stated that Israeli fighter jets launched air-to-surface missiles aimed at Iranian radar systems in the Ilam, Khuzestan, and Tehran provinces. The Iranian General Staff reported that Israel used Iraqi airspace, “under the control of US forces,” to launch the strike from 100 kilometres from Iran’s border. Prompt action by Iran’s air defence limited the damage, according to a statement by the General Staff.

Following the attack, Iran’s permanent representative to the UN issued a statement emphasizing Iran’s right to a “legitimate and lawful response” in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. The statement indicated that Iran would act “at an appropriate time” in response to what it described as “criminal attacks.”

As tensions mount, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged both Israel and Iran to avoid escalation, fearing the potential for a wider regional conflict. His spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, expressed concern about the ongoing Middle East instability and called on all sides, including those involved in Gaza and Lebanon, to cease hostilities and prioritize diplomatic solutions.

In response to the strike, US President Joe Biden indicated that he believes Israel targeted only military sites within Iran. Speaking to reporters, Biden expressed hope that the incident would not lead to further escalation. "It seems they [Israeli forces] only hit military targets," Biden said, confirming that Washington had been informed of the strikes in advance. 

Notably, on October 26, Israel carried out what it described as “precise and targeted” airstrikes on Iran in retaliation for the barrage of missile strikes launched by Tehran against Israel earlier this month. The Iranian side says these strikes against military sites killed four soldiers. The extent of the attacks - and the damage caused - remains unclear at this stage.

The IDF said it hit around 20 targets, including missile manufacturing facilities, surface-to-air-missiles and other military sites.