Israel’s ambassador to Canada said the international community needs to send a “concise, focused and targeted message to the Iranian regime” following Tuesday’s attack on Israel.
In an interview on CTV News Channel’s Power Play, Ido Moed did not comment when host Vassi Kapelos asked him if Israel had ruled out an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
But when asked about possible retaliation for Tuesday’s attack, Moed said “the nuclear issue is part of Iran’s broader threat to Western democracies.”
Asked again if Israel was considering a counterattack targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, Moed said: “I can’t talk about that.”
“But as you can imagine, there are a variety of goals that we can pursue in Iran, and they are all on the table,” he added.
Israeli media reported on Tuesday that a missile was fired from Iran into Israel. Moed said the final number was 181 ballistic missiles, which were launched into Israel in two waves, mainly targeting populated areas.
Moed said there was damage and several people were injured in Israel, but there were no casualties. There were also reports of casualties in Jericho in the West Bank.
“They are very dangerous and deadly, and the Iranian regime is very serious about using all means to wipe Israel off the map and then continue the revolution,” Moed said. “So we speak to the Iranian people and tell them we are with you. We are with you.
“But it is the Iranian regime that is very dangerous and needs to be dealt with,” he added.
The Iranian attack follows the deaths of several Iranian-backed militia leaders, including leaders of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah.
“Iran’s attack is a serious and dangerous escalation. There will be consequences,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a social media post on Tuesday.
The same post also stated, “We will respond anytime, anywhere, and in any way, in accordance with the instructions of the Israeli government.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a social media post that Canada condemns Iran’s “reckless attack” on Israel, saying it “puts innocent civilians at risk.”
“We fully support Israel’s right to defend itself against this attack,” Prime Minister Trudeau said. “We reiterate our call for a de-escalation of tensions across the region for the safety of all civilians.”
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly reiterated the Canadian government’s plea for at least 45,000 Canadians believed to be in Lebanon to be deported at a press conference on Tuesday.
“These attacks from Iran only further destabilize the region, and this must stop,” Joly said. “These are very dangerous times for the Middle East.”
He also said he was in contact with Israeli, Arab and G7 foreign ministers.
Joly said 200 Canadians were evacuated over the weekend and another 200 are planned to leave Beirut today, with 600 seats reserved on the flight from Lebanon to Turkiye.
“I want to say to all of us watching: if you are offered a seat, take a seat. It’s time to leave Lebanon. Don’t go to Lebanon,” Joly said.
The Canadian government has been encouraging Canadians to leave Lebanon since last October, but that message has taken on added urgency in recent weeks.
The full interview with Iddo Moed is available on CTV News Channel’s Power Play in the video player at the top of this article.
With files from CTV News Supervising Producer Stephanie Ha
