AVENTURA, Fla. – A prominent Israeli diplomat in Miami-Dade County said Israel will hold Iran accountable for the overnight attack.
Maor Elbaz-Starinsky, the consul general of Israel in Miami, told a group of reporters on Sunday in Aventura that retaliatory action is certain.
“Drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles were fired at Israel, carrying more than 60 to 70 tons worth of explosives,” Elbaz-Starinsky said about Iran’s attack.
Meanwhile, at the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s ambassador to the UN, claimed the attack was in retaliation for Israel’s deadly attack on April 1 at a consulate in Syria, and Gilad Erdan, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is a terrorist organization.
“This attack crossed every red line and Israel reserves the right to retaliate,” Erdan said during the UN emergency session.
Robert Wood, the U.S. deputy ambassador, said the U.S. will explore measures to hold Iran accountable. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for restraint and said there was a need for a ceasefire in Gaza, the delivery of humanitarian aid, the release of all hostages, and safe navigation in the Red Sea.
“It is vital to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations,” Guterres said.
Israel Katz, Israel’s minister of foreign affairs, announced on X that Israel was “committed to defend its citizens.” Hossein Amirabdollahian, Iran’s foreign minister, wrote on X that Iran has “no intention of continuing defensive operations.”
“I am hopeful that this will resolve and countries will be peaceful,” said Shawn Kosravi, an Iranian-American professor at Florida International University.
President Joe Biden talked to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“I told him that Israel demonstrated a remarkable capacity to defend against and defeat even unprecedented attacks — sending a clear message to its foes that they cannot effectively threaten the security of Israel,” Biden said in a statement.
Biden met with the Group of Seven, leaders from Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and Japan. The group condemned Iran’s attack and offered “full solidarity” to Israel. Elbaz-Starinsky said Iran had also challenged the U.S.
“It’s time that the world wakes up,” Elbaz-Starinsky said.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu met with Israel’s five-member war cabinet to discuss a counterstrike. Elbaz-Starinsky said Israel’s defense had displayed an “unprecedented success” by foiling a “multi-layered attack.” He reiterated the commitment to defending Israel from Iran.
“We will do whatever it takes with partners or alone,” Elbaz-Starinsky said
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