Iranians see attacking Israel as legitimate self-defence

As Iran released a video clip showcasing some of the military equipment used in its attack against Israel, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) has confirmed that these missiles have caused damage to infrastructure at the Nevatim Air Base in the Hermon area. The video shows the launch of several missiles and drones from its military bases across various regions and this comes a few days after Israel hit Iran’s consulate in Damascus, Syria that resulted in the death of seven IRGC members, including two generals.

Iran vowed to retaliate April 1 strike in a proper time and waited until Saturday night to respond from a point of power as it launched dozens of missiles that has caused anxiety among the Israeli officials and its partners in the West. However, the maturity shown as presidents of most countries, including US, UK, and others have called for de-escalation and told Israel not to hit back as it will deteriorate the situation in the region and impact the world order.

After Iran’s direct attack, several countries have closed their airspace and it was also reported that these missiles and drones have crossed the Iron dome defense system as many of them landed inside Israel territory including on its military airport.

Israel has confirmed that the over 200 missiles launched by Iran targeted an Israeli military airport as well, but did not provide further details on the casualties and property damages. IDF in a statement said there was only a small portion of the projectiles launched by Iran that had landed within Israeli borders and many of these missiles and drones were defused.

Iranians gather to celebrate the attack against Israel  

Thousands of Iranian people took to the streets in Tehran, the capital city of Iran and celebrated the launch of unprecedented missile attacks on Israel by changing “death to Israel” and “death to US”. The pro-government supporters gathered in Tehran’s Palestine Square and waved Iranian and Palestinian national flags alongside banners reading “Allah’s victory is near.”

Demonstrators wave Iran’s flag and Palestinian flags as they gather at Palestine Square in Tehran on April 14, 2024. (AFP)

The celebration comes as it was the single largest drone attack ever carried out by Iran and it was a direct attack against Israel after almost a half-century of being archenemies. After the recent attack in Syria, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has pledged revenge and said that the “evil Israeli regime will be punished.”

IRGC has dubbed the operation “True Promise” and it was an indication that the Iran army wanted to show the supreme leader to make good on their vows of punishment for attacks by Israel. The terms of punishment have circulated since January 2020 when general Qassem Soleimani was assassinated in Iraq. Iranian officials have also tried to maintain strategic patience since last December assassination of another IRGC commander in Syria, Razi Mousavi, in an Israeli air raid.

Afghanistan supported Iran’s attack on Israel as legitimate

Afghanistan has declared Iran’s recent attack on Israel as legitimate and defensive action and called on influential countries to halt the further escalation of the crisis and stop the conflicts in the Gaza Strip.

Taliban Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Abdul Qahar Balkhi said that Iran exercised its legitimate right to self-defense on 14th April in the wake of continuation of Israel’s crimes and its attack on the consulate of Iran in Damascus in contravention of diplomatic norms and international laws.

Since October last year, the “zionist” regime has tried to divert world attention away from the genocide of over thirty-three thousand civilians in Gaza by violating airspace of sovereign states and provocations aimed at broadening regional insecurity, Balkhi said, and called on the world leaders to expedite their efforts of halting the crimes of the zionist regime in order to prevent further escalation of the crisis.

Abdullah Abdullah, former head of Afghanistan High Peace Council said that by attacking the consulate of Iran in Syria, Israel violated international law, international conventions on the immunity of diplomatic missions and international custom.

“Iran’s response to Israel is considered a defensive measure and a reaction against the violation of Iran’s national sovereignty. The continued brutal killing of innocent Palestinian people in Gaza by Israel and the targeting of children, women, employees of international organizations, doctors and aid workers is the main cause of the crisis and tension at the regional and global level,” he added.

While calling Iran as Afghanistan’s neighbor with religious, historical and cultural commonalities, Abdullah said any action by Israel against Iran has a direct impact on the situation in Afghanistan and unpredictable and unfortunate consequences for the region and world peace and security.

We are in favor of solving regional and international crises through peaceful means and we support any action towards de-escalation, peace and stability, Abdullah added.