Israel 'mulling limited response' to Iran strikes after pleas for restraint

ISRAEL was said today to be considering a limited response to the unprecedented attack by Iran following strong appeals from Britain and its other allies to prevent the crisis from spiralling into all-out war.

- Jitendra Joshi

Rishi Sunak was due to speak with Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu, as the Prime Minister and other G7 leaders mulled tougher sanctions on Iran.

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron was expected to visit Israel in the coming days after urging it to be "smart as well as tough" by not escalating the conflict.

US president Joe Biden, in his first public appearance since Iran unleashed a barrage of missiles and drones against Israel on Saturday night, said at the White House: "Together with our partners, we defeated that attack. The United States is committed to Israel's security."

Referring to the war in Gaza, he added: "We're committed to a ceasefire that will bring the [Israeli] hostages home and prevent any conflict from spreading beyond what it already has." White House national security spokesman John Kirby said: "We don't want to see a war with Iran. We don't want to see a regional conflict."