Iran Foreign Minister Mocks Israeli Weapons In His Statement

Iran’s foreign minister dismissed any attribution of the recent attack on his country to Israel, likening the weaponry used to children’s toys rather than military-grade drones. Hossein Amirabdollahian, the foreign minister, made these remarks during an interview with Tom Llamas of NBC News, while attending a U.N. Security Council session in New York. He expressed Iran’s stance of non-retaliation unless provoked by a major Israeli action.

However, Amirabdollahian issued a stern warning, asserting that any decisive move by Israel against Iran would be met with an immediate and robust response, promising regret for such actions. The recent escalation in hostilities traces back to April 1, when Israel allegedly targeted an Iranian consular building in Damascus, resulting in casualties among Iranian military personnel. Twelve days later, Iran retaliated with a large-scale missile and drone strike on Israel, though it caused minimal damage due to interception by Israeli and allied forces.

Amirabdollahian framed the attack as a cautionary measure, asserting Iran’s restraint in avoiding civilian casualties despite the probability to target major Israeli cities and economic infrastructure. While tensions have long simmered between Israel and Iran through proxy conflicts, this marked the first overt military engagement initiated by Tehran against Israel. The Biden administration urged restraint following the exchange, fearing further escalation between the two adversaries.

Israel responded by targeting a military airfield near Isfahan in central Iran, a move downplayed by Iranian state media. The measured response from both sides hints at a desire to de-escalate tensions, according to experts. U.S. officials stressed the need for calm, expressing concern over the possibility for further conflict. Meanwhile, the Biden administration accused Iran of complicity in a recent attack by Hamas on Israel, citing Tehran’s support for the militant group.

Amirabdollahian denied prior knowledge of Hamas’ actions, portraying the group as a liberation movement rather than a terrorist organization. He criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, blaming Israel for stalled negotiations and resorting to violence to compensate for its failures.

Despite the rhetoric, Amirabdollahian expressed hope for a comprehensive settlement, including the release of hostages, signaling a willingness to engage in humanitarian diplomacy.