JERUSALEM – Following Israel’s bold military airstrikes on Iran early Saturday, the Jewish state has announced its readiness to continue the “attack” against the world’s worst state sponsor of terrorism, the Islamic Republic of Iran, if Tehran responds.

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Admiral Daniel Hagari said: “If the regime in Iran were to make the mistake of starting a new round of escalation, we will be obliged to respond. Our message is clear: all those who threaten the State of Israel and try to drag the region into a wider escalation – will pay a high price.”

He added: “We have demonstrated today that we have both the ability and the determination to act decisively – and we are prepared – both on offense and in defense – to defend the State of Israel and the people of Israel .”

THE US WAS ADVISED DAYS IN ADVANCE OF ISRAEL’S STRIKE ON IRAN; IDF SAYS MISSION COMPLETE

Iranian air defenses were reportedly active when Israel began attacking Iranian targets in Tehran. (Obtained by Fox News)

Israel dubbed its Saturday mission “Days of Repentance,” in response to Iran’s Oct. 1 launch of its barrage of about 200 ballistic missiles in the Holy Land. Iran said it attacked Israel in retaliation for the IDF’s elimination of Tehran-backed global Hezbollah terrorist Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut.

Pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from the Biden-Harris administration appears to be paying off as Jerusalem limits its historic attack on Iran to purely military installations. Israel avoided eliminating Iran’s illegal nuclear weapons sites and its vast oil production companies.

“Israel chose the least aggressive response against the Islamic Republic by launching precise strikes against military targets,” said Lisa Daftari, an Iran expert and editor-in-chief of The Foreign Desk.

Daftari told Fox News Digita: “This approach raises questions about whether the US influenced Israel to give a more restrained response, possibly to avoid further escalation. One could argue that these attacks have successfully restored deterrence, while it could also be said that Israel missed an opportunity. to target more crucial locations. Many factors, including the timing, selection of targets and intensity of the attack, were complicated by a US leak and our upcoming elections. Despite this pressure, Israel appears willing to change its approach if the Islamic Republic decides to escalate further.”

Israeli Air Force planes took off last night for the attacks on Iran. (IDF Spokespersons Unit)

On Saturday, Defense Secretary Austin issued a statement on I made clear that the United States maintains an enhanced military force to defend U.S. personnel, Israel, and partners throughout the region in the face of threats from Iran and Iranian-backed terrorist organizations, and is committed to preventing any actor from taking advantage increases tensions or the conflict in the region.”

A senior US official said Friday that “Israel carried out precision airstrikes against multiple military targets in Iran and outside populated areas.” The official added that the United States had no role in the mission and that the “president and his national security team have of course been working with the Israelis in recent weeks to encourage Israel to carry out the mission, to provide a targeted and to provide a proportionate response. A lower risk of civilian harm. And that seems to be exactly what happened tonight.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his phone call with President Biden earlier this month, where Israel’s response to Iran was reportedly discussed. (Israeli Prime Minister’s Office)

Mardo Soghom, the editor-in-chief of the English website Iran International, told Fox News Digital: “The regime and its media are downplaying the attack. They say it was ineffective and the air defense is great. They claim that Israel’s attack caused minimal damage. Some regime hardliners are openly calling for a counterattack. Iran’s Foreign Ministry says it still reserves the right to comment.

ISRAEL BEGINS RETALIATION ATTACKS AGAINST IRAN FOLLOWING A MISSILE REPORT TARGETING ISRAELS

He wrote up the State Department’s response to clichéd diplomatic language, noting that “no one witnessed the S-300” air defense system being fired, indicating that Israel has bypassed Iran’s vaunted Russian counter-missile apparatus.

A female IDF pilot in her plane as part of the ‘Days of Repentance’ mission against Iran. (IDF Spokespersons Unit)

“My analysis is that the US and Israel seem to have gotten Iran into trouble. The US has warned Iran not to respond, so if Iran responds, it could justify a US response,” said Iran expert Soghom.

Israeli counterattacks reportedly killed four Iranian soldiers, one of whom was an officer, according to regime-controlled media. It is unclear whether Tehran will up the ante and launch new rocket attacks against the Jewish state.

Fox News Digital contacted an IDF spokesperson about an Israeli news report stating that Israel was preparing for retaliatory strikes with Iranian ballistic missiles. The IDF spokesman said: “It’s nothing special. We are always preparing.”

Axios reported that Israel had issued a warning to the Iranian regime before the attack. “The Israelis have made it clear to the Iranians in advance what they are going to attack in general and what they are not going to attack,” a source told Axios. The IDF did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital about the report.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conducts a security assessment at the air force headquarters at Tel Aviv’s Kirya base, along with the defense minister, chief of staff, head of Mossad and head of the Shin Bet. (Israeli Prime Minister’s Office)

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Former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, leader of one of Israel’s main opposition parties, has criticized the attack on X, saying it is a missed opportunity. A translation of his message read in part: “The decision not to attack strategic and economic targets in Iran was wrong. We could and should have demanded a much higher price from Iran.”

The Times of Israel reported that former Defense Minister and leader of the Yisrael Beytenu Party, Avigdor Liberman, said Israel had failed to “sue a real price” from the Islamic Republic, and criticized the government for its ” showmanship”.