Iran threatens to hit back against any Israeli strike

Iran said on Monday it would respond firmly to any Israeli attack on its soil, stressing that it did not want a wider war in the region.

Penultimate Tuesday, Iran launched around 200 missiles in its second direct attack on Israel, in what it said was retaliation for the killing of Tehran-aligned leaders in the region and a general in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.

Israel has vowed to respond to the attack.

Iran’s top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, said the Islamic Republic was “Not afraid of war and will give a firm and appropriate response to any new action by the Zionist regime”.

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The foreign minister made the remarks in a telephone conversation with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran had made a “big mistake” with its missile barrage, which follows Israel’s killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on September 27.