Iran warns Israel against retaliation after drone and missile attack

Threat of open conflict that may drag in the US puts Middle East on edge Washington says it is not seeking war with Tehran, but won't hesitate to defend Israel Global powers urge restraint, with UN Security Council set to meet

JERUSALEM Iran on April 14 warned Israel and the United States of a "much larger response" if there is any retaliation for its drone and missile strike on Israeli territory, as Israel said "the campaign is not over yet".

The threat of open warfare erupting between Iran and Israel that may drag in the US has put the Middle East on edge, as Washington said the US was not seeking conflict with Iran but would not hesitate to protect its forces and Israel.

Iran launched an unprecedented direct attack on Israel over a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Syria on April 1 that killed top Revolutionary Guard commanders and followed months of clashes between Israel and Iran's regional allies, triggered by the war in the Gaza Strip.

Israel reported modest damage, while the US said it would discuss a diplomatic response with major powers later on April 14.

"We intercepted, we repelled, together we shall win," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a post on X.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said the military campaign was not over, and "we must be prepared for every scenario".

Israel will exact a price from Iran when the time is right, centrist War Cabinet minister Benny Gantz said.

"We will build a regional coalition and exact the price from Iran in a fashion and timing that is right for us," he said in a statement as Mr Netanyahu was preparing to meet his Cabinet.

Iran's mission to the United Nations said Tehran's actions were aimed at punishing "Israeli crimes", but that it now "deemed the matter concluded".

Major-General Mohammad Bagheri, Iran's army chief of staff, warned on television that "our response will be much larger than tonight's military action if Israel retaliates against Iran", and told the US its bases could also be attacked if it helps Israel retaliate.