The Ambassador of Iran in Madrid, Reza Zabib, held a press conference on Wednesday, hours after Iran launched an offensive against Israel by firing dozens of missiles, triggering sirens and citizens seeking refuge in bunkers. The diplomat, who stated that they consider the operation over, also warned: "Iran will respond stronger to all attacks, we will not hesitate."
Zabib met with the press at the Embassy with the Iranian flag at half-mast, in mourning for the dead, which, as he explained, was the red line for launching this operation. "Any aggression on Iranian territory is a red line and will be confronted," he began his speech, after recalling the deaths caused by Israel's attacks. "In April, we explicitly stated that the reaction would be carried out without hesitation, and this happened yesterday." According to his words, the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, political leader of Hamas; the Iranian Ambassador in Lebanon, and the killing of an Iranian general who was with Hassan Nasrallah, Secretary-General of Hezbollah, at the time of his assassination on September 27, Israel crossed the "red line." "They have blocked all diplomatic efforts and violated their promise of a ceasefire in Gaza, we had no choice but to react. This was done yesterday invoking Article 14 of the UN: self-defense," he justified.
Although yesterday's attack did not cause any injuries, according to the Israeli Defense Forces, Netanyahu stated that Iran "made a big mistake tonight and will pay for it." In response to these words, Zabib stated that "they consider the operation finished" but recalling that "this [war] started a year ago with the genocide in Gaza and has now spread to Lebanon to repeat the same pattern: massive killing of innocent civilians. This has to stop. Once again, I express all my concern that the Zionist regime has blocked all diplomatic efforts."
Iran leads a "resistance axis" composed of Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip; Hezbollah in Lebanon; and the Houthis in Yemen. Although Netanyahu initially focused his offensive after the terrorist attacks on October 7 on Hamas, he has now expanded it to Lebanon, where Israeli troops entered last Monday. Iran responded to this incursion by launching missiles. "This has been a reaction to defend territorial integrity, sovereignty, and dignity," insisted the Iranian diplomat. "Every reaction has been to help peace and stability in the region," he reiterated, then affirming: "The operation has ended."
According to his words, now de-escalation depends "on the Zionist regime and its ally [referring to the United States]. If any Iranian is targeted, our response will be stronger," he assured. While noting they do not possess nuclear weapons, he mentioned they are "prepared" to respond. "We have always been asked for maximum restraint, and we have done so for peace and stability in the region. Also, at the request of our European friends, we have exercised restraint, that is why we have nothing more to do unless there are more attacks."
"Iran is prepared to take defensive measures if necessary, to protect our territory from any military aggression. Iran will respond stronger to all acts. Iran will not hesitate. The situation is clear," he concluded.