Israel widened its strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon Saturday as the government weighed its options on how to retaliate against Iran for a missile strike earlier this week. The Israel Defense Forces said on Saturday its air force attacked Hezbollah infrastructure across Beirut and other parts of Lebanon, adding to days of airstrikes. The attacks came as the Haaretz newspaper in Israel reported the military was preparing for a “significant” attack on Tehran after it fired about 200 missiles on Israel targets earlier this week.
Gideon Saar, a member of Israel’s security cabinet, said late Saturday the country has several options to retaliate against Iran but has yet to decide on what steps it will take. “Several options are being considered. A decision on the matter has yet to be made,” Saar told Channel 12 TV, while reiterating the government’s position that there would be reprisal.
Ahead of any potential attack, Iran renewed its pledge to respond to Israel and downplayed the prospects of a potential cease-fire between Hamas and Hezbollah — widely regarded as Iran’s proxies — and Israel. “Our response to any Israeli aggression will be stronger and harsher and they can test us if they want to,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters in Damascus after talks with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. He refused to give details on any cease-fire efforts, adding that it’s “not time” to get into those details.
The risk of a wider c.