Netanyahu says Iran made ‘serious mistake’ with attack and will ‘pay’ the price

Tel Aviv University was hit, reports Iranian press. In Jerusalem, explosions are also being heard, witnesses told Reuters.

Death of leaders and Netanyahu’s message motivated Iran attack

Unlike the telegraphed attacks in April, when the Iranians warned through informal channels that they would launch missiles at Israel, this time the offensive was radically different. The assassination of leaders and the ground offensive placed unprecedented pressure on Ali Khomenei to act.

Netanyahu’s message to Iranians was a trigger. According to sources in the region, it was a video message from the prime minister, addressed to the people of Iran and with subtitles in Farsi, that created an unsustainable situation for the ayatollahs’ regime. In the message, the Israeli said that they would “soon be free.”

The fear among foreign diplomats, however, is that Israel will now respond, particularly against Iran’s nuclear facilities. In an official statement, Iranian diplomacy at the UN stated: “Iran’s legal, rational and legitimate response to the terrorist acts of the Zionist regime — which involved the attack on Iranian citizens and interests and the violation of the national sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran — was properly executed”, he said.

“If the Zionist regime dares to respond or commit other acts of malevolence, there will be a subsequent and overwhelming response. Regional states and supporters of the Zionists are advised to separate from the regime,” Iranian diplomacy at the UN pointed out.