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Iran claims to give warning before attacking Israel, US says that’s not true

By Selin Atay
Apr 15, 2024 1:33 PM

The U.S. claims to have received a message from Iran during the ongoing attack through Swiss intermediaries but not a prior notification; however, Türkiye, Jordan, and Iraq confirm Iran had given early warning of the attack last week

Turkish, Jordanian and Iraqi officials revealed Sunday that Iran had provided advance notice days before its drone and missile assault on Israel.

However, the US. authorities disputed the claim, stating Tehran did not forewarn Washington and aimed for significant damage.

Iran unleashed a barrage of drones and missiles on Saturday in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian claimed Iran informed neighboring countries and the U.S. 72 hours before launching the strikes.

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“If the Zionist regime or its supporters demonstrate reckless behavior, they will receive a decisive and much stronger response,” Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi asserted.
 

Raisi’s statement echoed Iranian military chief Major-General Mohammad Bagheri’s warning of a “much larger” response if Israel retaliates against Iran.

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However, signaling a calculated response to avoid escalation, Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian stated Tehran notified the U.S. 72 hours in advance, emphasizing the strikes would be “limited” and for self-defense.
 

Iran’s permanent mission to the U.N. justified Tehran’s actions as “legitimate defense” according to the U.N. charter.

Yet, more aggressive rhetoric emerged from other officials, with Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), cautioning Tehran would retaliate against any Israeli attacks on its interests or citizens.

US denies prior notification

An Iranian source briefed on the matter said Iran had informed the U.S. through diplomatic channels that included Qatar, Türkiye and Switzerland about the scheduled day of the attack, saying it would be conducted in a manner to avoid provoking a response.

A senior U.S. official refuted Amirabdollahian’s claim, affirming contact with Iran through Swiss intermediaries but denying a 72-hour notice.

“We received a message from the Iranians as this was ongoing, through the Swiss. This suggested they were finished after this, but it was still an ongoing attack. So that was (their) message to us,” the U.S. official said.

‘We (Türkiye) were aware of the possibilities’

Iraqi, Turkish and Jordanian officials confirmed Iran had given early warning of the attack last week, including some details.

Foreign Ministry disclosed communication with Washington and Tehran before the attack, serving as an intermediary to ensure proportionate reactions.

“We were aware of the possibilities. The developments were not a surprise,” said a Turkish diplomatic source regarding Iran’s reassurance that the reaction would respond solely to Israel’s embassy attack in Damascus.

Iraq closed airspace with Iranian warning

Iran informed Baghdad of the attack at least three days in advance, with details disclosed hours before the strikes, enabling Iraq to close airspace and prevent accidents.

“The government clearly understood from the Iranian officials that the U.S. military in Iraq was also aware of the attack in advance,” said the Iraqi security official.

‘Iran summoned Arab envoys’

A senior Jordanian official said Iran had summoned Arab envoys in Tehran on Wednesday to inform them of their intention to carry out an attack. However, it did not specify the timing.

Source: Newsroom

Last Updated:  May 28, 2024 4:46 PM