RIGA - Iran's missile attack on Israel is further escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, which hopefully will not turn into a regional war, President Edgars Rinkevics told LETA.
Iran's support for the Islamist militant group Hezbollah and its actions aimed at destabilizing the situation in the Middle East should be strongly condemned, said Rinkevics.
The AFP news agency reports that Israel vowed to make Iran "pay" for firing a barrage of missiles at its territory, with Tehran warning on Wednesday it would launch an even bigger attack if it is targeted.
Iran launched its second direct attack on Israel in history on Tuesday, firing what it said were 200 missiles including hypersonic weapons, sending Israeli civilians into shelters.
Israel, which put the number of missiles fired at its territory at 180, bombarded Lebanese strongholds of Iran ally Hezbollah, with heavy strikes early Wednesday on south Beirut.
Israel shifted its focus last month from the war in Gaza, which was sparked by Hamas's October 7 attacks, to securing its northern border with Lebanon, where it is fighting Hezbollah.
After issuing numerous threats against Israel, Iran launched its second attack since April, sparking panic in Israel and around the region.
Israel intercepted most of Iran's missiles, while Israeli medics reported two people injured by shrapnel.
"Iran made a big mistake tonight and will pay for it," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. "Whoever attacks us, we attack them."
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who was at the command and control center monitoring the interception of Iranian missiles, also vowed vengeance.
"Iran has not learned a simple lesson -- those who attack the state of Israel, pay a heavy price," he said in a statement.
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