Iran Threatens to Deploy Unprecedented Weapons in Retaliation to Potential Israeli Airstrikes
Recent statements from Iran have intensified concerns about the possibility of escalating war in the Middle East.
Iran has issued a stern warning, threatening to employ “weapons it has never used before” in retaliation if Israel launches airstrikes. This declaration comes in response to Israel’s promise of retaliation following Iran’s significant drone and missile attack.
The atmosphere is fraught with tension as fears mount that the region could be on the brink of a full-scale war. Abolfazl Amoue from the Iranian Parliament’s National Security Committee emphasized that Iran is ready to use an unprecedented weapon, urging Israel to consider its next moves carefully and to “act wisely.” Similarly, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has issued a warning to Israel, stating that any further action by Israel will be met with a “painful response.”
Despite Iran’s threats, the efficacy of its recent drone and missile barrage has been questioned, with reports suggesting that 99 percent of the projectiles were intercepted by Israel and its allies. These developments have prompted concerns that Iran might accelerate its nuclear weapons development. Iran possesses multiple nuclear research sites and uranium enrichment facilities, and despite halting its nuclear weapons program in 2003 according to a UN report, recent activities have raised alarms. An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report from November 2023 noted that Iran’s uranium stockpile was significantly over the limit set by the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal.
The 2015 agreement, which was compromised by the US’s withdrawal in 2018 under President Donald Trump, had aimed to restrict Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Despite assurances from Iranian leaders that their nuclear ambitions are solely for peaceful purposes, their long-standing threat to destroy Israel continues to cast a shadow over their nuclear activities.
The international community, including UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi, is urging restraint. Grossi has expressed concern over the potential targeting of Iranian nuclear facilities by Israel, emphasizing the need for extreme caution in these volatile times. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to appeal to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for moderation in a scheduled phone call.
As global leaders debate the appropriate response, former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has advocated for a firm stance against Iran, suggesting that a strong retaliatory response may be necessary to send a clear message