Iran’s foreign minister downplayed the attacks on his country on Friday morning, which targeted a major air base and nuclear site near Isfahan, and questioned where they came from and minimized their effect.
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, in an interview on NBC News’s “Top Story with Tom Llamas,” stated that what occurred last night was not a strike.
The foreign minister portrayed the attacks as insignificant, stating that Iran quickly brought down the drones, which he likened to toys, and expressed doubts about Israel’s involvement, mentioning that the military lacks evidence to prove they were responsible for the attack.
Israeli officials admitted to carrying out the strikes on Friday morning but described them as “ineffective.” Iran’s foreign minister dismissed the Friday morning attacks on his country, which hit near a major air base and nuclear site near the city of Isfahan, casting doubt on their origin and downplaying their impact. “What happened last night wasn’t a strike,” Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said in translated comments during an interview on NBC News’s “Top…
When asked by Llamas if Iran had been warned about the attacks in advance, Amir-Abdollahian once again played down their significance, commenting that “It wasn’t worth telling us before it happened.”
The foreign minister also stated that Iran will not retaliate, but will take action if Israel attacks again.
“If Israel wants to do another […] our next response will be immediate and at the maximum level,” Amir-Abdollahian said.
He also said, “If not, then we’re done.”
Israel and Iran both seeming to downplay the significance of the attacks will likely help reduce concerns about escalation in the region following Iran’s April 13 drone and missile assault on Israel. Those attacks were in retaliation for Israel’s April 1 airstrike on the Iranian Consulate in Syria
The White House, which has remained quiet about the recent attacks, urged Israel to be cautious earlier this week as the country promised to respond to Iran’s attacks.
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi had also issued threats regarding a response by Israel, warning that even the “tiniest” attack would lead to a “massive and harsh” response.
However, Amir-Abdollahian’s comments suggest that the potential tit-for-tat escalation some feared may be avoided.
