Iran launched more than 300 missiles and drones towards Israel, most of which were intercepted.
New Delhi:
Israeli Minister Benny Gantz said last night that after unprecedented drone and missile attacks on its territory, Israel would choose the appropriate time and method to retaliate and “demand a price from Iran.”
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Iran’s envoy to the United Nations said the Islamic Republic was exercising its “inherent right to self-defence” in response to what it saw as Israeli aggression. Iran said the attack on Israel was a necessary and appropriate response to the destruction of its consulate building in Damascus, an act widely blamed on Israel.
Israel’s representative to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, called on the Security Council to impose all feasible sanctions on Iran. Separately, G7 leaders earlier said they were prepared to “take further steps” to respond to “destabilizing moves.”
Iran warned Israel against a military response. Iran’s mission to the United Nations said “the matter can be considered closed.” “However, if the Israeli regime makes another mistake, Iran’s response will be even harsher.”
President Joe Biden has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Washington will not provide military support for any retaliation against Iran, a senior U.S. official said. “We would not be involved in any response that they do,” the official said, according to AFP. “We would not imagine ourselves being involved in such an act.”
Biden said on Sunday that U.S. forces had assisted Israel in intercepting most of the drones and missiles launched by Iran. Additionally, Biden announced his intention to meet with other G7 leaders to develop a strategy for a diplomatic response to Tehran’s actions.
The Israeli military announced that Israel and its allies such as the United States, Britain, and France have formed an “alliance” for the first time to respond to Iran’s unprecedented attack. “Together we thwarted an Iranian attack… This is the first time a coalition of its kind has come together to confront the threat from Iran and its proxies in the Middle East,” IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a televised statement.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdullahian said Tehran had given advance notice to the United States before the attack, after giving 72 hours’ notice to neighboring countries. The attack came after Iran seized an Israeli-linked ship in the Gulf, raising tensions across the region.
India says rising tensions in the region must be resolved through “dialogue and diplomacy”. “We call for immediate de-escalation, exercise restraint, stop violence, and return to the path of diplomacy. We are paying close attention to the development of the situation… It is crucial to maintain security and stability in the region,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a telephone discussion with his Israeli counterpart Israel Katz and expressed India’s concerns over the developments in hostilities. “Just concluded a conversation with Israel FM @Israel_katz. Shared our concerns about yesterday’s developments. Discussed larger regional situation. Agreed to stay in touch,” Jaishankar posted on “X”.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the Security Council yesterday and urged the international community not to further escalate the conflict. “Neither the region nor the world can afford more war,” Guterres said. “The Middle East is on the edge.”
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