Israel weighs response after attack from Iran
Fearing wider Mideast war, allies advocate for caution
Israel’s War Cabinet was set to meet again Monday as the nation weighs a response to Iran’s missile and drone blitz amid global concerns that the Mideast could be careening toward a wider war.
Cabinet members huddled Sunday and were united in backing some form of retaliation for the Saturday strike − the first time Iran targeted Israel directly from its own territory − but were divided on the timing and scale of the next steps.
President Joe Biden has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. will defend its longtime ally but would not be part of any response to Saturday’s attack.
Two top Israeli officials have stressed that while retaliation may not be imminent, a response would be carefully orchestrated − and Iran would face the consequences.
“We will build a regional coalition and exact the price from Iran in the fashion and timing that is right for us,” Minister Benny Gantz said.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel would look to create a strategic alliance “against this grave threat by Iran.”
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Monday that the G7 industrialized nations are working on a package of coordinated measures against Iran, adding: “I spoke to my fellow G7 leaders; we are united in our condemnation of this attack.”
Israel’s allies pressed the nation Monday to move cautiously. “We’re on the edge of the cliff and we have to move away from it,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said. “We have to step on the brakes and reverse gear.”
French President Emmanuel Macron urged Israel to make isolating Iran the goal.
“Israel has won defensively thanks to its strong air defense and the efforts of the U.S., Britain and Arabic states,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said. “Now we must prevent an escalation in the region.”
Russia, which has refrained from criticizing its ally Iran, weighed in as well. “We are extremely concerned about the escalation of tensions in the region,” spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. “We call on all countries in the region to exercise restraint.”
Biden was scheduled to meet Monday with Iraqi leaders at the White House. Earlier, Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ali Tamim joined the chorus of concern over tensions between neighboring Iran and Israel. “The government of Iraq is warning about escalation in the area to be dragged into a wider war that will threaten international security and safety,” he said.
Iran launched the assault over a suspected Israeli airstrike on its embassy compound in Syria on April 1. A U.S.-led coalition of warplanes and naval assets helped intercept the more than 300 missiles and drones, and damage was limited in Israel.
Turkish, Jordanian and Iraqi officials said on Sunday that Iran gave wide notice days before the attack, but U.S. officials said Tehran did not warn Washington and that it was aiming to cause significant damage.