The Iranian Embassy in Dublin says any Israeli retaliation to Iran’s weekend rocket attack will be met with a ‘strong and severe’ response.
Over the weekend, air raid sirens went off in Israel as the skies above them were filled with rockets fired by the Iranian armed forces.
All were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome defence shield but a seven-year-old girl was severely injured by falling shrapnel.
Iran said the attack was in response to the bombing of its consulate in Syria by Israel earlier this month - a claim the Israeli Government denies.
Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, the Iranian Embassy in Ireland’s Charge d’Affaires Dr Kazem Sharif Kazemi described the strike as “limited” in scope.
“We must emphasise and make clear that any response and retaliation by the Israelis will [lead to an Iranian response that is] stronger and more severe,” he said.
Western leaders, such as US President Joe Biden, have urged the Israelis to show restraint but local media has reported the Government will respond “clearly but decisively”.
Dr Kazemi believes such a reaction would be a mistake and urged the international community to keep up the pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“As I say, any escalation in the region will benefit no side,” he said.
“We are in a very sensitive situation and the international community should show responsibility [and urge them to show restraint].”
US President Joe Biden (centre left) meets with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (centre right) in Tel Aviv on October 29th 2023. Image: White House photo.Dr Kazemi also condemned the conduct of the IDF in Gaza since Israel declared war on Hamas last October.
“I think Israel has shown there is no red line for Israel’s regime,” he said.
“Israel has killed 40,000 people in Gaza; they have bombarded hospitals and many other places.”
Main image shows destroyed buildings inside the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, 19-03-2024. Image: AP Photo/Ariel SchalitWhen questioned about Iranian funding for groups such as Hamas and Houthis - both of which are labelled as terrorist organisation by a number of western governments - Dr Kazemi compared them to the IRA.
“Why do they attack Israel? They are resistance groups, they are not terrorist groups,” he said.
“Look at Irish history, if we had no resistance group in Ireland, we wouldn’t have an independent Ireland.”
Iran and Israel have long been enemies - attacking each other's assets without claiming responsibility - but Saturday was the first time Iran attacked Israeli soil directly.
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Main image: Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi. Picture by: Alamy.com
