Israel Strikes Iran as Iranian Leaders Threaten “Maximum Level” Response

Last night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel reportedly retaliated against Iran in response to its unprecedented attack last weekend. According to reports, Israel initiated a “limited” drone strike on an apparent military target in Isfahan, avoiding civilians. Before the launch, Israel reportedly informed the White House and carried out the drone strike despite President Biden’s opposition. Iran had threatened an “immediate . . . maximum level” response to any retaliation by Israel.

Recently, AP News reported:

Speaking at the G7 meeting in Capri, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the U.S. received “last-minute” information from Israel about the attack on Isfahan. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken did not dispute that, but said: “We were not involved in any offensive operations.”

The apparent attack, near a major air base and a nuclear site around the central city of Isfahan, came on Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s 85th birthday. Israeli politicians also made comments hinting that the country had launched an attack.

Air defense batteries fired in several provinces over reports of drones being in the air, Iranian state television reported. Iranian army commander Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi said crews targeted several flying objects, but the incident caused no damage.

Analysts said the relatively limited scope of the Israeli attack and the subdued response by Iran seemed to indicate the threat of an immediate escalation had diminished.

One of the strikes was very close to the Natanz nuclear plant, which you may have heard of in reference to the Iranian nuclear deal. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was put in place between the U.S. and other countries of the Security Council monitoring Iran’s nuclear program.

Well, Israel might have hit near the nuclear base. Iran is saying there were no nuclear issues. However, it issued the statement to their citizens, which means this strike was very close to Natanz. You’ve also got a huge military base there at the airfield, so it could have been a strike on Iran’s airfield.

Notably, Secretary Blinken made it very clear that the U.S. had had no part in Israel’s attack. I’m anxious to see how the Biden Administration responds over the weekend. Will it support Israel defending itself from future Iranian attacks? Or will the Administration continue to distance itself from Israel?

ACLJ Senior Counsel for International and Government Affairs Jeff Ballabon reacted to Biden’s troubling lack of support for Israel:

Israel knows that America has always been its strongest ally. But this President and this Administration are not as strong an ally [just] as Obama was not as strong an ally. And the fact is Obama first broke ground with creating daylight between Israel policy and America policy. . . . And now you see the aftermath of Israel shooting down that massive, unprecedented launch from Iran . . . was to “take the win” – as the President said. What does that mean? “Take the win?” It’s not a win for Israel to allow Iran or any country to launch a barrage of missiles into its airspace and try to wipe out its population. That is not a win. Israel had no choice but to react.

Now is the time to stand with Israel. The ACLJ stands with Israel and continues to defend our ally. On Monday we are sending legal demand letters to 32 countries demanding that they inflict crippling sanctions on Iran, label their Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization, and allow Israel to defend itself.

Stand with Israel by signing our brand-new petition. Your voice makes a difference.

Today’s Sekulow broadcast discussed Israel’s justified response to defend itself from Iran. We were joined by several guests: CBN’s Chris Mitchell, retired Israeli Brigadier General Amir Avivi, and former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. and the U.N. Danny Danon.

Watch the full broadcast below: