Iran's Foreign Minister Denies Israeli Involvement in Recent Attack, Warns of Swift Response

Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, dismissed the suggestion that Israel was responsible for the recent attack on his country in an interview with NBC News on Friday. He described the weapons used in the attack as akin to "children's toys" rather than drones, emphasizing that the event was not a significant strike.

Amirabdollahian, speaking in New York during a U.N. Security Council session, conveyed that Iran had no immediate plans to respond unless faced with a substantial attack from Israel. He emphasized that Iran's reaction would be swift and severe if Israel initiated a decisive action against his country, indicating a willingness to retaliate to the maximum extent.

The recent exchange of hostilities between Israel and Iran began on April 1, when Israel targeted an Iranian consular building in Damascus, leading to fatalities in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran responded 12 days later with a direct military assault on Israel involving over 300 missiles and drones, although the attack caused minimal damage as most of the projectiles were intercepted.

Iran's Warning and Red Lines

Amirabdollahian underscored that the attack served as a warning and highlighted that Iran's intent was military in nature, clarifying that civilians were not a target. He asserted that Iran could have aimed at strategic locations in Israel but refrained from doing so, adhering to red lines that excluded civilian areas.

In the aftermath of the escalation, the Biden administration advised Israel to exercise restraint to prevent further conflict between the two long-standing adversaries. Amid concerns of a potential full-blown war, the U.S. called for de-escalation in the region.

Despite the U.S. urging restraint, Israel retaliated by targeting a military airfield in central Iran, although nuclear facilities were reportedly unaffected, and no casualties were reported. The limited nature of the strike and the subsequent subdued response from both sides indicated a mutual inclination to reduce tensions.

Iran's Stance on Hamas and Israeli Accusations

Iran has been accused by the Biden administration of complicity in Hamas' attack on Israel, to which Amirabdollahian responded by denying any prior knowledge of the event. He emphasized Iran's support for Hamas as a liberation movement opposing Israeli occupation of Palestinian land, rejecting the characterization of Hamas as a terrorist organization.

Amid discussions about hostage negotiations, Amirabdollahian criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and accused the Israeli government of imposition excessive demands. He portrayed the Israeli government's actions as an attempt to compensate for its inability to achieve its goals in the war in Gaza, expressing hope for a comprehensive settlement regarding the release of hostages.

The Iranian Foreign Minister expressed optimism about reaching a deal for the release of hostages as part of a broader settlement, suggesting that the current circumstances presented a favorable opportunity for progress in the negotiations.