New Delhi:
Israeli Minister Benny Gantz said last night that Israel would choose the right time and method to retaliate and “exact the price from Iran” after the unprecedented drone and missile attacks on its territory.
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Iran's envoy to the United Nations said the Islamic Republic is exercising its “inherent right to self-defense” in response to what it views as Israeli aggression. According to Iran, the attack on Israel was a necessary and proportionate response to the destruction of the consulate building in Damascus, an act widely attributed to Israel.
Gilad Erdan, Israel's representative to the United Nations, called on the Security Council to impose all available sanctions against Iran. Moreover, G7 leaders previously said they were prepared to “take further measures” in response to “destabilizing initiatives.”
Iran has warned Israel against responding militarily. “The matter can be considered closed,” the Iranian mission to the United Nations said. However, if the Israeli regime makes another mistake, Iran's response will be significantly more severe.
A senior US official said President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Washington would not provide military support for retaliation against Iran. “We would not be part of any response,” the official said, quoted by AFP news agency. “We would not imagine participating in such an act.”
Biden said on Sunday that US forces helped Israel intercept the majority of drones and missiles launched by Iran. Additionally, Biden announced his intention to meet with other G7 leaders to craft a diplomatic response to Tehran's actions.
The Israeli military announced that Israel, along with the United States, Britain, France and other allies, had formed a “coalition” for the first time to respond to Iran's unprecedented attack. “Together we thwarted Iran's attack… This was the first time such a coalition worked together against the threat from Iran and its allies in the Middle East,” IDF spokesman Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a televised statement.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Tehran had given advance notice to the United States ahead of the attack, following a 72-hour notice period for neighboring countries. Before the attack, Iran had seized a ship linked to Israel in the Gulf, raising tensions across the region.
India said escalating tensions in the region should be resolved through “dialogue and diplomacy”. “We call for immediate de-escalation, restraint, a reduction in violence and a return to the path of diplomacy. We are closely monitoring the developing situation… It is critical that security and stability are maintained in the region,” the spokesperson said. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported this in a statement.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with his Israeli counterpart Israel Katz during which he expressed India's concerns over the developments arising out of the hostilities. “Just concluded a call with Israel FM @Israel_katz. Shared our concerns about the developments yesterday. Discussed the broader regional situation. Agreed to stay in touch,” Mr Jaishankar posted on 'X'.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the international community against further escalation of the conflict, as he spoke before the Security Council yesterday. “Neither the region nor the world can afford any more war,” Guterres said. “The Middle East is on the brink.”
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