Iran’s foreign minister dismissed a Friday morning airstrike on the country that hit near a major air base and nuclear facility near the city of Isfahan, questioning its origins and downplaying its impact.
“What happened last night was not a strike,” Hossein Amir Abdullahian said in translated comments during an interview on NBC News’ “Top Stories with Tom Rama.”
The foreign minister said Iran quickly shot down the drone, calling it “like a toy for children to play with,” and characterized the airstrike as unimportant. He also said he had no evidence that the military was behind the attack and questioned Israel’s role in the incident.
Israeli officials claimed responsibility for Friday morning’s attack, but said the attack was “ineffective.”
Asked whether the Ramas had given advance warning of the attack on Iran, Amir Abdullahian again downplayed the impact, saying: “It was not worth telling us before it happened.”
The foreign minister also said Iran would not retaliate but would take action if Israel attacked again.
“If Israel wants to do something different, […] Our next response will be immediate and at the highest level,” Amir Abdullahian said.
He also said, “If you don’t, you’re done.”
Both Israel and Iran appear to have downplayed the significance of the attack, but it could help allay concerns that have escalated in the region following Iran’s April 13 drone and missile attack on Israel. expensive. These airstrikes were in retaliation for Israel’s April 1 airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Syria.
The White House, which has remained silent about recent airstrikes, earlier this week urged Israel to be vigilant as it vows to respond to Iranian airstrikes.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi also threatened Israel’s response, warning that even the “smallest” attack would lead to a “large scale and harsh” response.
But Amir Abdullahian’s comments suggest that the possible escalation of retaliation that some feared may be avoided.
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