TEL AVIV.- Benjamin Netanyahu’s government plans to respond to Iran’s attack with more than 300 rockets and drones on Israel, but there are no details of how or when said action would be.
The final decision will depend on an analysis of the options on the table, but there is a risk that this could complicate the relationship with the United States, given that Joe Biden’s government is pushing sanctions with the G7 against Iran.
In addition to this, the US stated the next day of the military attack on Saturday the 13th that it would not accompany a response that the Netanyahu administration could give, an action that was revealed by Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, of the Israeli Armed Forces (IDF, in English).
“We cannot stand by and do nothing in the face of this type of aggression,” Hagari said.
This Wednesday, the Government Press Office (GPO) confirmed that Netanyahu had a meeting with his government team, where he discussed a dialogue with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, with whom he addressed the situation with Iran. and in Gaza.
Netanyahu said that Sunak and officials from other governments with whom he has met in recent days have offered him “suggestions” about Israel’s actions, but he clarified that while he welcomes the positions his nation will decide for itself.
“Thank you to our friends for their support in defending Israel,” Netanyahu said. “They also have all kinds of suggestions and advice, which I appreciate; However, we will make our own decisions. The State of Israel will do whatever it takes to defend itself.”
This journalist, currently reporting from Israel, requested an official position from the GPO on the possible risk of affecting the relationship with the US, but they did not offer a comment on the matter.
US and G7 tighten sanctions on Iran
On Tuesday afternoon, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan confirmed that the Biden Administration is discussing further sanctions against Iran with its G7 partners.
“Following Iran’s unprecedented airstrike against Israel, President Biden is coordinating with allies and partners, including the G7, and bipartisan leaders in Congress, on a comprehensive response,” Sullivan said. “In the coming days, the United States will impose new sanctions against Iran, including its missile and drone program, as well as new sanctions against entities that support the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran’s Ministry of Defense.”
He added that the Department of Defense is also strengthening its defense plan for the Middle East region.
“We continue to work through the Department of Defense and US Central Command to further strengthen and expand the successful integration of early warning and air and missile defense systems throughout the Middle East to further erode the effectiveness of Iran’s missile and unmanned aerial vehicle capabilities,” he said.
Sullivan said the US will maintain its actions against terrorist groups, including their financing, including Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and Kataib Hezbollah.
“The pressure will continue,” he said. “We will not hesitate to continue taking action, in coordination with allies and partners around the world, and with Congress, to hold the Iranian government accountable for its malicious and destabilizing actions.”