Israel-Iran Conflict Highlights: Israel Army Chief Tells Soldiers Attack 'Will Be Met With Response'
Israel-Iran Conflict Highlights: Tensions reached their peak Saturday since the Israel-Hamas war began in Oct 2023 as Iran attacked Israel in retaliation of Syria airstrike that killed at least 13.
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Background
Israel-Iran Conflict Highlights: Iran initiated its first-ever direct assault on Israel late Saturday, firing a large number of explosive drones and missiles. This offensive was a direct response to an Israeli strike on an Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1, which killed at least 13 people, among them two senior officers of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
In a subsequent statement on Sunday, US President Joe Biden denounced Iran's actions and announced plans for a G7 meeting to discuss a collective diplomatic strategy. “Tomorrow, I will convene my fellow G7 leaders to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack,” he declared.
In the aftermath of the April 1 consulate attack, Iran had promised retribution against Israel. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was reported by state television as stating: “We will make them regretful about the crime and similar acts.” Furthermore, Iran’s ambassador, Hossein Akbari, pledged to retaliate with equal severity and intensity.
As Iran launched the attack Saturday, US forces joined efforts to shoot the drones down. It was claimed that the forces shot down many drones flying towards Tel Aviv.
Biden said the US support was “ironclad” for Israel against all attacks by Iran and its proxies, even as Iran has warned of more attacks, and said the United Nations has failed in its duty. In a statement, Ambassador Amir Sayeed Iravani, Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the UN, said they won't "hesitate to exercise its inherent right of self-defence when required".
Meanhwile, citing threat to “peace and security in the region”, India has called for an “immediate de-escalation” of the situation, asking for “exercise of restraint”. In a statement issued Sunday, the Ministry of External Affairs said: “We are seriously concerned at the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran which threatens the peace and security in the region.”
Israel-Iran Conflict Live Updates: Israel Army Chief Tells Soldiers Attack 'Will Be Met With Response'
Israel army chief tells soldiers Iran attack 'will be met with response', AFP reported.
Israel-Iran Conflict Live Updates: Israeli war cabinet to meet today to weigh response
Today, Israel's war cabinet is scheduled to convene at 2:00 p.m. local time (7 a.m. ET) to deliberate on its course of action following Iran's unprecedented attack on Saturday night. According to an Israeli official speaking to CNN, an extended war cabinet session on Sunday concluded without reaching a decision regarding the response strategy.
While the cabinet remains resolute in its determination to act, specific details regarding the timing and extent of the response are yet to be finalised.
Israel-Iran Conflict Live Updates: G7 Condemns Iranian Actions, Calls On Tehran And Its Proxies To 'Cease Attacks'
After a remote meeting in attendance of US President Joe Biden and in leadership of Italy's Georgia Meloni, the grouping released a statement condemning "in the strongest terms Iran’s direct and unprecedented attack against Israel."
"Israel, with the help of its partners, defeated the attack. We express our full solidarity and support to Israel and its people and reaffirm our commitment towards its security. With its actions, Iran has further stepped toward the destabilization of the region and risks provoking an uncontrollable regional escalation. This must be avoided. We will
continue to work to stabilize the situation and avoid further escalation," it added.
"In this spirit, we demand that Iran and its proxies cease their attacks, and we stand ready to take further measures now and in response to further destabilizing initiatives.
We will also strengthen our cooperation to end the crisis in Gaza, including by continuing to work towards an immediate and sustainable ceasefire and the release
of hostages by Hamas, and deliver increased humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in need," it further stated.
Israel-Iran Conflict Live Updates: US President Biden Leads G7 Leaders Meeting
The White House released a photo on Sunday showing US President Joe Biden interacting with the leaders of the G7. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Mideast coordinator Brett McGurk are also seen, CNN reported.
The White House said in a post on X that the leaders “condemned Iran’s unprecedented attack against Israel and reaffirmed the G7's commitment to Israel's security.”
The meeting was called to discuss what Biden termed as an "urgent diplomatic response" to Iran's attack.
The G7 meeting has now concluded, CNN reported citing an administration official.
Israel-Iran Conflict Live Updates: EAM S Jaishankar speaks to Iranian FM on release of 17 Indian crew members of MSC Aries
EAM S Jaishankar speaks to Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. He posts on X, "Took up the release of 17 Indian crew members of MSC Aries. Discussed the current situation in the region. Stressed the importance of avoiding escalation, exercising restraint and returning to diplomacy. Agreed to remain in touch."
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