MIDDLE EAST ON THE BRINK (...AS USUAL)
World waits for Israel’s response to Iran attack
ISRAEL has vowed that it will respond to Iran’s unprecedented drone and missile attack, despite Western calls for calm, as the Middle East teeters on the edge of all-out war.
Army Chief of Staff Lt Gen Herzi Halevi said that Israel is still considering what steps it will take, but was unequivocal as he declared that the Iranian bombardment of his country on April 13 “will be met with a response”.
Leaks from Israel’s war cabinet reportedly suggested that a “painful” revenge strike on Iran is being planned that will not cause mass casualties, although some hardliners have demanded that PM Benjamin Netanyahu shows that it is willing to “go berserk”.
As Mr Netanyahu continues to debate what retaliation it will unleash, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak used a phone call with the Israeli premier yesterday to urge him to show “restraint”.
But leading voices in defence, including respected former minister Ben Wallace, have urged Western leaders to support Israel in its response to “bullies”’ like Iran, and to even stand up to the regime themselves if necessary.
“Everybody agrees that Israel must respond,” an Israeli official told The Washington Post.
“How to respond, and when to respond, is the question.”
It comes as the United
Nations nuclear watchdog chief expressed concerns on Monday on Israel potentially targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, as he announced inspections paused on Sunday and Monday would resume nonetheless.
International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi said Iran closed its nuclear facilities temporarily over “security considerations” and that while they reopened on Monday, he kept IAEA inspectors away “until we see that the situation is completely calm”.
When asked about the possibility of an Israel strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, Mr Grossi said: “We are always concerned about this possibility,” as he also urged “extreme restraint”.