By Deutsche Welle
Apr 16, 2024, 09:45 AM EDT
Israel launched a “diplomatic offensive” against Iran this Tuesday (04/16/2024) and called on 32 countries to impose sanctions against the Revolutionary Guard of the Islamic Republic and its missile program, following the unprecedented attack in Tehran this weekend.
“In parallel with the military response to the missile and drone launches, I am leading a diplomatic offensive against Iran”, wrote Foreign Minister Israel Katz on the social network X.
Katz, a minister in Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government coalition, very close to the prime minister and a member of his Likud party, defends a hard line against Iran.
“This morning I sent letters to 32 countries and spoke with dozens of foreign ministers and personalities from around the world to request that sanctions be imposed on the Iranian missile project and that the Guardians of the Revolution be declared a terrorist organization.”
The chancellor did not specify which governments he asked to impose sanctions against the Revolutionary Guards, which is on the US blacklist of terrorist organizations and is subject to EU sanctions.
“Iran must be stopped now, before it is too late“Defended Katz, after the attack on Saturday night launched by Tehran, with a barrage of missiles and drones, which the Israeli military claimed were 99% intercepted.
Israeli Chief of Staff Gen. Herzi Halevi vowed Monday that his country will respond to Iran’s attackdespite calls from numerous countries, including its largest ally the United States, to avoid an escalation in the Middle East, where Israel has been at war with the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip for more than six months.
Iran has said the attack was in response to the airstrike on its consulate in Damascus, widely attributed to Israel. Israel is believed to have carried out the attack and has not denied responsibility.
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