"Definitive and certain"

Iran informed allies 72 hours before attack

Allies in the region are said to have been warned in advance of the attack on Israel, Iranian Foreign Minister Hussein Amirabdollahian reported on Sunday. "Of course, we informed our friends in the countries of the region 72 hours before the operation that Iran's response in the form of a legitimate defense is definite and certain," Amirabdollahian said, according to the Iranian news agency Isna.

It was not clear whether the allies were also informed of the exact timing. "We consider the security of our neighbors and the region as the security of the Islamic Republic of Iran," the minister added, saying, "We have warned that if the United States uses the airspace or ground of the respective countries to defend Tel Aviv, American military bases in the (respective) country will be targeted."

Foreign Minister threatened a "necessary and strong response"
Shortly before the attack, the Iranian Foreign Minister had undertaken a diplomatic tour of the Middle East - during which he may have precisely mapped out the scope of the attack in advance. He repeatedly issued threats against Israel. One week after the airstrike on the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus, which was to be carried out by Israel, he declared in Syria: "Israel's regime will be punished and will receive a necessary and strong response".

In Oman, Amirabdollahian spoke with a representative of the Houthi militia, among others. The Iranian Foreign Minister also held talks with four foreign ministers from the region, from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Iraq.