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Israel retaliates with missile interception and a fully operational air defense system as Iran projected 180 ballistic missiles around on October 1, with flares being observed in the capital city of Tel Aviv. 

Photo Courtesy of Al-Monitor/France 24

Prior to this, it is perceived that Iran’s display of power is a response from Israeli attacks towards people in Gaza, Lebanon, and assassinations of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IIRG), Hamas, and Hezbollah leaders. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Iran will pay for the attacks, and warned Iran made a huge mistake from its missile response. 

Iran President Masuod Pezeshkian addressed the Western countries aiding Israel’s genocide in Gaza, Palestine through a post in X (formerly Twitter) the same day.

“Western hypocrisy is not just outrageous, but extremely dangerous. Western States have aided and abetted the Israeli genocide in Gaza and acquiesced in Israeli aggressions against Iran, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and other countries in the region,” he noted. 

“Iran has an inherent right of self-defense against repeated Israeli armed attacks against Iranian territory and its citizens. Israel and its allies alone are responsible for all consequences of Israel’s persistent provocations and escalations,” he added. 

Israel military Spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated in a press conference that Israel “prepared to defend and retaliate” against Iran, and underscored their willingness to respond “wherever, whenever, and however they choose.” 

Representatives of other countries like the US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan noted the allied cooperation of the US towards Israel as he stated that the American military “coordinated closely” to shoot down projectiles being launched by Iran. 

World leaders such as US President Joe Biden responded to the attacks. He insisted that Iran’s attack is “defeated and ineffective” and vowed to continually support Israel. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres commented that the attack “must stop” and absolutely needed a ceasefire.