World leaders condemn Iran's attack on Israel

They urge both countries to step back from the brink after Tehran's rocket barrage

WASHINGTON – World leaders have urged Iran and Israel to step back from the brink after Tehran fired a barrage of rockets at its arch-rival.

Tehran said the attack on Oct 1 – which took place as Israel said it was mounting a ground offensive against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon – was in response to the killings of Iran-backed militant leaders.

It was the second time that Iran has directly attacked Israel, after a missile and drone attack in April in retaliation for a deadly Israeli air strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

Iran's armed forces on Oct 2 warned that direct intervention by Israel's supporters against Tehran would provoke a “strong attack” from Iran on their “bases and interests” in the region. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the country's action was finished, barring further provocation.

Washington said it would work with long-time ally Israel to make sure Iran faced “severe consequences” for the attack, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed retaliation.

As the attack unfolded, President Joe Biden ordered the US military to “aid Israel's defence against Iranian attacks and shoot down missiles that are targeting Israel”. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the attack was “totally unacceptable”.

“Initial reports suggest that Israel, with the active support of the United States and other partners, effectively defeated this attack,” Mr Blinken said.