Iran recently attacked Israel with drones and missiles. It says this attack was payback for Israel bombing Iran’s embassy in Syria’s capital Damascus earlier this month. This is the first time Iran has directly attacked Israel since tensions flared up in the region last October.
Israeli Minister Benny Gantz warned last night that Israel will retaliate and make Iran pay for the unprecedented attacks on its territories. He said Israel will choose the right time and way to respond.
Here are the key points about this developing situation:
- Iran’s UN ambassador said Iran was just defending itself against what it sees as Israeli aggression. According to Iran, attacking Israel was a necessary and proportionate response to Israel destroying its consulate in Damascus.
- Israel’s UN representative has urged the UN Security Council to impose all possible sanctions on Iran. Earlier, G7 leaders said they are ready to take further action against Iran’s “destabilizing actions.”
- Iran has warned Israel not to retaliate militarily, saying “the matter can be considered closed.” However, Iran threatened an even more severe response if Israel “makes another mistake.”
- A senior US official said President Biden has told Israeli PM Netanyahu that the US won’t provide military support for any retaliation against Iran. The official said, “We would not be a part of any response they do.”
- Biden said US forces helped Israel intercept most of the Iranian drones and missiles. He plans to meet with other G7 leaders to plan a diplomatic response to Iran’s actions.
- Israel’s military says it formed a “coalition” with the US, UK, France, and others for the first time to respond to Iran’s unprecedented attack. An Israeli spokesperson called it the first time such a coalition worked together against Iran’s threat.
- Iran’s foreign minister said Tehran gave the US advance notice before the attack, following a 72-hour notification period for neighboring states. Tensions had already risen after Iran seized an Israel-linked vessel in the Gulf.
- India has called for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy to resolve the escalating regional tensions. India is closely monitoring the situation and stresses maintaining security and stability is vital.
- India’s foreign minister discussed the developments with his Israeli counterpart, expressing concern and agreeing to stay in touch on the larger regional situation.
- The UN Secretary-General urged the international community against further escalation, warning “the Middle East is on the brink” and “neither the region nor the world can afford more war.”
The Iran-Israel conflict has taken a dangerous new turn, raising fears of an all-out war in the volatile Middle East region. Diplomatic efforts are crucial to prevent further escalation.