The Islamic Republic has always threatened a “decisive,definitive,and regretful” response if the Israelis hit Iranian assets. And now the ball is in Iran’s court.
The attack risks pushing the arch enemies closer to all-out war at a time of spiralling violence across the Middle East.
Iran has not faced such a significant external threat since a war with Iraq ended more than three decades ago.
At least 15 branches of the bank-like institution Al-Qard Al-Hasan have been hit in southern Beirut.
Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not be deterred after a Hezbollah drone hit his holiday house as the Middle East conflict showed no pause despite the death of the Hamas leader.
World leaders had expressed hopes for a ceasefire after Hamas militant leader Yahya Sinwar’s death. Israel,Hamas and Hezbollah have all said they will continue fighting.
The escalation of hostilities in the Middle East that is alarming global leaders is working in Netanyahu’s political favour at home.
As the world looks on in horror at events unfolding in the Middle East,Herald journalists Kate Geraghty and Matthew Knott,who have just arrived in Israel,talk about what it’s like to fly into a conflict zone.
The United States has warned Israel could risk losing access to weapons funding unless aid is boosted.
The Israeli prime minister has told the US he will strike military targets,not Iran’s oil infrastructure or nuclear installations,according to The Washington Post.
Washington has significantly bolstered military assistance funding sent to Israel and has approved more sales of arms and equipment to the country.