Tehran threatens 'overwhelming' response after Israeli strikes.. Accusations against the West of covering up the aggression
Iran's Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, announced on Wednesday, June 18, that his country will confront Israeli strikes 'strongly.. and without restraint', affirming that Tehran 'will not hesitate to defend its people, security, and land'.
Bahreini stated to journalists: 'We will respond seriously and forcefully, without restraint', according to Reuters. He also accused Israel of 'targeting populated areas indiscriminately and without warning', describing the attacks as 'aggressive acts carried out without any justification'.
On the other hand, the Iranian Ambassador sharply criticized the United States and European countries, saying: 'America has granted Israel immunity, and European countries are trying to justify the aggression with baseless claims'.
Bahreini's statements came in response to the Israeli airstrikes launched last Friday on Iran, which Israel justified by claiming that Tehran 'is on the verge of developing nuclear weapons', while Iran has repeatedly denied seeking nuclear weapons, affirming its right to 'nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, including uranium enrichment, as a member of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons'.
In a related context, Iranian officials reported the deaths of 224 people, mostly civilians, since the escalation began on Friday, while Israel announced the deaths of around 24 people on its side. Israeli media also mentioned that more than 1300 people were injured, and that Iran launched over 440 missiles and 350 drones towards Israel since the start of the confrontations.
