DUBAI, April 15. /TASS/. The lack of any action on the part of the UK, US or France with regard to Israel’s moves triggered Iran’s retaliatory strike on the Jewish state, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani said.

"The Iranian operation was necessary and proportionate and hit the Israeli regime’s military targets," Iran’s IRNA news agency quoted him as saying. According to the diplomat, the operation was triggered by the absence of adequate measures on the part of the UN Security Council and the "irresponsible behavior" of the United States, Great Britain and France that could not curb Israel’s actions.

According to the news agency, "the spokesman also urged European countries to appreciate Iran’s patience and self-restraint over the past months and stop standing alongside the aggressive Zionist regime."

On the evening of April 13, Iran launched drones and missiles toward Israel in response to what it called "repeated crimes" from Tel Aviv, including the attack on the consular office of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus ascribed to Israel. Tehran’s state-run media outlets said that military facilities in Israel were targeted. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed it intercepted 99% of the nearly 300 projectiles launched at Israel with minor damage caused to Nevatim airbase. Israel did not report any fatalities or serious injuries.