The Group of Seven leaders on Sunday offered their full support for Israel following an unprecedented attack by Iran, stating they were ready to “take further measures” in response to “further destabilizing initiatives.”
The G7, which comprises the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy, and Canada, stated, “We express our full solidarity and support to Israel and its people and reaffirm our commitment towards its security.”
Earlier today, Iran had warned that it will strike again with even more force if Israel or the United States retaliate for the Iranian attack on Israel with over 300 drones and missiles on Saturday night.
This marked the first direct assault by the Islamic Republic on Israeli territory, significantly escalating the ongoing conflict between the two regional adversaries. This action has heightened concerns of a wider conflict, particularly amid the ongoing clashes between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.
Iranian media said the attack was in retaliation for an Israeli strike on April 1 targetting an Iranian consular building in Damascus, Syria, which killed members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including senior commander Mohammad Reza Zahedi and Brig. Gen. Mohammad Hadi Haj Rahimi. While Tehran accused Israel of the strike, Israel has not officially commented on the incident.
Here are the latest updates on the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict:
- US President Joe Biden convened the Group of Seven advanced democracies to coordinate a rebuke to Iran for its unprecedented and largely unsuccessful aerial attack on Israel and to prevent a wider regional escalation. After their videoconference, the leaders issued a joint statement “unequivocally condemning in the strongest terms” the direct attack by Iran, while expressing “our full solidarity and support to Israel” and reaffirming “our commitment towards its security.”
- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi cautioned Israel and its allies against any “reckless” actions following Tehran’s drone and missile attack. “If the Zionist regime (Israel) or its supporters demonstrate reckless behaviour, they will receive a decisive and much stronger response,” Raisi said in a statement.
- Iran’s foreign ministry stated that the attack on Israel was a “defensive measure,” demonstrating its responsible approach towards regional and international peace and security. “At this point, the Islamic Republic of Iran has no intention of continuing defensive operations, but if necessary, it will not hesitate to protect its legitimate interests against any new aggression,” it added.
- Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated that 99 percent of the launches had been intercepted, declaring that “the Iranian attack was foiled.” He further said that some projectiles landed inside Israeli territory, with one causing damage to a military base in the country’s south. Additionally, he mentioned that a young girl was seriously injured in the attack.
- US President Joe Biden, in a statement, said that the US military assisted Israel in neutralising “nearly all” of the drones and missiles, adding he would convene G7 leaders on Sunday to coordinate a united diplomatic response.
- UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said British fighter jets shot down Iranian attack drones during Tehran’s unprecedented on Israel. “I can confirm that our planes did shoot down a number of Iranian attack drones,” Sunak said, confirming reports that Britain had helped Israel and other allies in stopping the attacks.
- Pope Francis has made a “pressing appeal” to halt the “spiral of violence” following Iran’s unprecedented missile and drone attack on Israel, cautioning against the risk of a wider regional conflict. “I make a pressing appeal for an end to any action which could fuel a spiral of violence that risks dragging the Middle East into an even greater conflict,” Pope said following his traditional Sunday prayer in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican.
- Russia urged all sides to “show restraint” following Iran’s attack on Israel. It reiterated its previous warnings that the lack of resolution to numerous crises in the Middle East, particularly in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone, would result in increased instability. “We are counting on the regional states to solve the existing problems with political and diplomatic means,” the country’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
- The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) also condemned Iran’s overnight attack on Israel, calling it as an “escalation” of regional unrest, and called for restraint from all sides. “We condemn Iran’s overnight escalation, call for restraint, and are monitoring developments closely. It is vital that the conflict in the Middle East does not spiral out of control,” said NATO spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah.
- The Indian mission in Israel issued a fresh “important advisory” for its nationals following Iran’s attacks on the Jewish State. The advisory advises them to remain calm and follow safety protocols. “The Embassy is closely monitoring the situation and it is in touch with the Israeli authorities and Indian community members to ensure the safety of all our nationals,” it added.
(With inputs from agencies)
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