New Delhi [India], March 16 (ANI): Ambassador of Israel to India, Reuven Azar says that Iran is doubling down on its position as the conflict entered its third week. Speaking in the National Capital at a press conference, the Envoy also did not commit a timeline for a possible end to the conflict.

'We are not specifying exactly how long it will take because it depends on many factors...At the outset, both US and Israel talked about a few weeks. It also depends on the opportunity Iran has to change course. Right now, it doesn't seem that they are changing course. On the contrary, they are doubling down. They are digging in. But the situation can change in the future. We are hearing different rumours about differences within the Iranian decision-making process. So, this can take more time...We can have a diplomatic way out of this if the Iranians decide that they want to cooperate with the international community,' he said.

Azar said that the purpose was not invading Iran but giving the Iranians a chance to take over and effect change from the current Islamist regime.

'Neither the United States nor Israel has the intention of invading Iran...We want to give the Iranian people a situation in which they can actually put pressure for a change in policy or for a change of the regime. We are going to see whether this happens or not but are resolute in putting a focus on that. It not only serves the Iranian people but it also serves our aim of creating a more stable future in the region. I think it also serves the general interest in the region, of the Gulf countries and also of the international community, to see a West Asia or Middle East which is much more stable and freer from the terrible threats that the Iranians were planning to build or they were actually building.'

Azar said that Iran had launched a major counter-attack against Israel involving ballistic missiles and drones, leading to casualties and damage to infrastructure, while also targeting multiple countries in the region.

'Iranians have launched a counter-attack. They fired hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones into Israel. We have about 12 casualties so far. We have hundreds of wounded. Several buildings were damaged. Not to the extent that we had back in June, the damage is much less because their capability to launch at Israel has diminished. They decided to retaliate not only against us but to attack 12 countries in the region. They are targeting not only military targets but mainly civilian targets, both in Israel and also in the Gulf.' Azar said.

'Imagine what Iran would do, after we saw how Iran attacked all the neighbours, if they had a nuclear arsenal...What we are undergoing now is nothing compared to what could happen in the future if the US and Israel hadn't taken action now,' he added.

The latest escalation comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, with both sides exchanging accusations and threats following months of conflict and regional instability. According to Israeli officials, the attack involved a combination of long-range ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, which were launched toward multiple locations across Israel.

Israel's air defence systems reportedly intercepted 'several of the incoming missiles and drones,' reducing the overall damage. However, some projectiles managed to penetrate the defences, resulting in casualties and damage to residential and commercial structures.

Israel has repeatedly accused Iran of supporting militant groups across the region and attempting to expand its military influence. Iran, on the other hand, has maintained that its actions are part of a broader strategy to counter Israeli military operations and influence in the region. (ANI)