Newsroom | Iran-Israel Tension Netanyahu is burning with the fire of revenge, will Israel destroy Iran’s nuclear base?

Tensions escalated in the Middle East after Iran fired more than 300 shells at Israel in response to a suspected Israeli attack on its consulate in Syria. Following its attacks Iran warned Israel that it would not hesitate to respond in a “stronger” and “more determined” manner. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed to respond defensively and offensively, saying Israel had been preparing for a direct attack by Iran for years. Israel has claimed to have shot down 99% of the 300 drones and missiles fired against it. On the other hand, from the Israeli Army’s joint drill with the US and Cyprus and Benjamin Netanyahu’s air base visits, it is being estimated that it is preparing for revenge. Experts say that Israel may target Iran’s nuclear sites in revenge.

A spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy in London told Kay Burley on Sky News that Iran “started the war against Israel” when it sent drones and missiles towards the country and Israel “wants to stop them”. Orly Goldschmidt claims that for the last 45 years Iran has been trying to attack Israel through proxies – Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis. “Iran views Israel as a Western country that needs to be destroyed,” she says. Echoing the Israeli president’s comments, Goldschmidt says what Iran did on Saturday was “start a war against Israel.” She adds, “We’re listening to our allies and taking into account what they’re saying but at the end of the day we have to defend ourselves against this Iranian threat.”

Israel has also requested the UNSC to immediately convene a meeting and declare its IRGC a terrorist organization. Meanwhile, UK PM Rishi Sunak gave his first reaction to the Iranian attack, calling it a “dangerous and unnecessary escalation”. He further said he would work with allies to de-escalate the situation and looked forward to meeting with G7 leaders. As the West Asia crisis deepened, the German Chancellor and other world leaders united in solidarity with Israel. UN chief Antonio Guterres and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau also condemned the attack. However, later on 14 April, Iran said that Tehran’s military operations against Israel had “ended”. Iran warned that if the US helps Israel, their bases will receive “no protection” and will be dealt with, CNN reports.

Making clear his stance on the conflict, the Indian Foreign Minister called his Iranian counterpart, Israel Katz, to take stock of the situation. However, later on April 14, Iran said that Tehran’s military campaign against Israel had “ended”. According to CNN report, Iran warned that if the US helps Israel, their bases “will receive no protection” and will be dealt with.

In a major escalation amid the Gaza war, Iran launched several drones and missiles at Israel. According to The Times of Israel report, this occurred as a part of retaliation for the airstrike on the Iranian embassy in Syria, which resulted in the death of three top generals. In an unprecedented attack, hundreds of Iranian UAVs, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles pounded Israel. Meanwhile, India is “closely monitoring” the ongoing situation and the External Affairs Ministry has called for an immediate de-escalation of hostilities. In this regard, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar spoke to Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Cameron. During the talks, the discussion mainly focused on the situation in West Asia. In particular, India has expressed concern over the growing hostility between Israel and Iran which threatens security in the region.