Attack on Israel was “limited”, says Brazilian ambassador to Iran

Brazil’s ambassador to Iran, Eduardo Gradilone, said this Sunday (Apr 14, 2024) that Iran’s attack on Israel on Saturday (Apr 13) was “limited” and that the country acted within its right to “self-defense”. The statement was given in an interview with CNN while the diplomat reported a briefing that he had with the Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

“The main point of the briefing was that the Iranian foreign minister gave a recap of everything they consider to be Israel’s infractions of international law, […] But what the chancellor most wanted to emphasize is that Iran launched a very limited attack against Israel, just to show that it was exercising its right to self-defense.”said Gradilone.

The Iranian offensive was carried out with missiles and drones. According to the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), the Israeli military intercepted 99% of them. According to Gradilone, in the same briefingthe Iranian foreign minister said that although the attack was “limited” and not having presented “greater consequences in terms of damage”it was necessary “give an answer to Israel”.

The region is experiencing moments of heightened tension after an attack on the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, left at least 8 people dead on April 1. After the incident, both countries blamed the attack on Israel. According to the Al Jazeera, Among those killed were Iranian Revolutionary Guard general Mohammad Reza Zahedi and seu nº 2, Mohammad Hadi Hajriahimi.

The following day, April 2, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said the attack would not be “no reply”. Ddeclared that Israel “blatantly violated international law by committing the terrorist crime of attacking Iran’s diplomatic building in Damascus.”

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, also spoke about the case, saying that Israel “must and will be punished” for the attack on the Iranian embassy complex in Syria.

In the same interview given this Sunday (April 14), the Brazilian ambassador to Iran stated that the Iranian chancellor’s understanding would be that the matter would now be closed and that it would be “US obligation to convince Israel of this and simply end hostilities”.

“There was an attempt to close the matter. So much so that there was an attempt on their part, and the only doubt is what Israel’s reaction will be to this. Therefore, an appeal is made to the US to exercise the power it has with Israel to dissipate this tension.”he stated.

WORLD LEADERS REACT

After the attack, leaders from countries such as France, Spain, the United Kingdom and also the EU (European Union) condemned Iran’s action against Israel. US President Joe Biden said on Saturday night (13 April) that he wants G7 leaders to coordinate “a united diplomatic response to the brazen attack” of the Iranians.

The president of the government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, spoke at a “long and harrowing night in which the scale of the attack perpetrated by Iran was confirmed”. Emmanuel Macron, President of France, classified the attack as “unprecedented”.

IRAN X ISRAEL

The April 13, 2024, Iranian attack was expected. The country had promised to retaliate against the Israelis for the bombing that killed 8 people at the Iranian embassy in Damascus (Syria), on April 1, including a Revolutionary Guard general. Countries blamed Israel, despite the country not taking responsibility, although in the international community it is taken for granted that the order came from Tel Aviv.

According to the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), around 300 drones and missiles were launched by Iran. Israel claims that fighters from the country and allies, such as the USA and the United Kingdom, and the Iron Dome defense system intercepted 99% of the aerial targets.

Next, read more about the attack and its reflexes:

• What did Israel say? – who will respond at the right time;
• What did Iran say? – who acted in self-defense;
• reactions around the world – the G7, a group with 7 of the largest economies on the planet, condemned the attack “unprecedented” and reinforced its commitment to Israel’s security;
• Brazil’s reaction – Itamaraty said it was monitoring the situation with “concern” and did not condemn Iranian action;
• Brazil disappointed – Israel’s ambassador to Brazil, Daniel Zonshine, told Poder360 who was disappointed with the Brazilian note;
• Brazil got it right – for former minister and career diplomat Rubens Ricupero, Itamaraty got the tone right. Spoke to Poder360 that there are no reasons for the country “take a position on one side or the other”;
• non-oil impact – a possible war between Iran and Israel should increase the price of the commodity and pressure Petrobras to increase fuel;
• videos – see images of the Iranian attack.