As Israel launched a major attack on Iran’s capital Tehran in the early hours of the 13th with Operation ‘Rising Lion’, Iran also warned of a ‘devastating’ retaliatory strike.
Israel moved the largest hospital in its capital Tel Aviv underground and issued an emergency evacuation order for shelters, entering a defensive posture.
According to the Iranian state news agency IRNA, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, said, “The wicked nature of Israel has been revealed,” and remarked, “Severe punishment will follow.”
Reuters also reported, citing Iranian security officials, that Iran is planning a ‘harsh counterattack’ in response to Israel’s attack.
Iranian state television reported the news of the airstrikes in the morning, wrapping a black ribbon around the corners of the screen. Experts interpreted this as indicating that the Israeli airstrikes were severe enough to provoke public grieving.
Iranian military spokesperson General Shekarchi stated on state TV, “Israel and the United States must prepare for a strong blow,” adding, “According to the will of God, the Iranian military is ready and will soon initiate a counterattack.”
The New York Times (NYT), quoting Iranian conservative political analyst Mehdi Rahmati, reported, “War has now become a reality in the Middle East,” and added, “Hezbollah, allied with Iran, possesses missile and drone capabilities, and the Yemeni Houthi rebels are also very capable in combat.”
He identified the pro-Iran militia based in neighboring Iraq as one of the allied forces.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz said shortly after the airstrikes on the 13th, “We expect Iran to immediately carry out retaliatory missile or drone attacks, and we are preparing for that.”
Minister Katz declared a special emergency situation across Israel. Israeli military authorities urged the public to follow official evacuation instructions and remain in protected areas. Most educational activities, gatherings, and work were prohibited.
Michael Huckabee, U.S. Ambassador to Israel, stated on social media just before the airstrikes, “Currently, I am still at the Jerusalem embassy and am monitoring the situation closely.”
Following the Iranian strikes, the U.S. Embassy in Israel directed all government employees and their families throughout Israel to evacuate.
Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir warned in a TV address, “It is highly likely that the intensity and method of Iran’s counterattack will differ from previous ones.”
Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Hospital, one of Israel’s largest medical centers, opened an underground emergency hospital. The hospital began transferring its departments to underground facilities to continue treatment even under bombardment.
Israel, having launched a preemptive strike, is urging the international community to support it.
Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, said to the Security Council, “Now is the moment to make a moral decision,” adding, “If you do not support Israel, you will be joining in dangerous silence.”
The American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) stated, “Israel’s actions to incapacitate Iran’s nuclear program serve all of civilization.”
John Thune, U.S. Senate Republican Whip, also backed Israel. He said in a statement, “Iran must never be allowed to access nuclear weapons,” adding, “The U.S. Senate and President Trump are ready to work with Israel’s allies to restore peace in the Middle East and protect Americans from Iranian aggression.”
In contrast, Connecticut Democrat Senator Chris Murphy criticized in a statement, “Israel has clearly impeded the Trump administration’s negotiations with Iran regarding nuclear issues,” and warned that “this will raise the risk of war in the Middle East, causing harm to the U.S. as well.”