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Copyright © 2024 CGTN. 京ICP备20000184号
Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466
A billboard depicting named Iranian ballistic missiles in service, with text in Arabic reading "the honest [person's] promise" and in Persian "Israel is weaker than a spider's web," in Valiasr Square in central Tehran, April 15, 2024. /CFP
Tehran on Monday called on Western nations to "appreciate Iran's restraint" towards Israel after it attacked its regional foe in response to a deadly strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.
"Instead of making accusations against Iran, (Western) countries should blame themselves and answer to public opinion for the measures they have taken against the... war crimes committed by Israel" in its war against Hamas in Gaza, said Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani.
The spokesman added that Western countries "should appreciate Iran's restraint in recent months."
Several Western countries, including France and Britain, condemned Iran over its attack on Israel, which Tehran insists was an act of "self-defense."
Iran's first direct attack on Israel, which began on Saturday, was in response to a April 1 strike on Tehran's consulate in Damascus which has been widely attributed to Israel.
The Damascus strike leveled the five-story consular annex of the Iranian embassy in the Syrian capital and killed seven Revolutionary Guards, two of them generals.
Kanani said Iran's action was meant to "create a deterrent in the aim to prevent the repetition of the actions of the Zionist regime and to defend (Iranian) interests."
Iran said it informed the United States and gave a 72-hour warning to neighboring countries ahead of its attack on Israel, which was denied by the U.S. side, according to Reuters.
Israel's military chief Herzi Halevi (C), is attending a situational assessment with members of the General Staff Forum at the Kirya military base, which houses the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, on April 14, 2024. /CFP
Israel says 99 percent of Iran's launches intercepted
The Israeli military said on Sunday that it intercepted about 99 percent of the more than 300 missiles and drones Iran launched late Saturday in its first direct attack against Israel.
"Together with our partners, the Americans and others, we managed to block the attack with very little damage caused," said Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, describing the outcome as "an impressive achievement."
Gallant noted that the incident is not over, and the Israeli Air Force remains on high alert.
In a press briefing, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesman Daniel Hagari said that Iran had launched about 170 drones, more than 30 cruise missiles, and over 120 ballistic missiles.
Hagari said the IDF's Arrow anti-missile system successfully intercepted most of the ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (C), during a special meeting of the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, at the UN Headquarters in New York City, April 14, 2024. /CFP
U.S. says it won't support Israeli counterattack
Israel might not have U.S. support for a counterattack. Overnight, Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden talked over the phone, according to Netanyahu's office.
Israel's Walla news site reported that Biden told Netanyahu that the U.S. would not support an Israeli counterattack against Iran.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday warned members not to further escalate tensions with reprisals against Iran, while the U.S. warned the Security Council it would work to hold Tehran accountable at the UN.
China deeply concerned about Iran-Israel situation, calls for restraint
(With input from agencies)