Iran launched a wave of 330 drones, cruise and ballistic missiles overnight on Saturday in retaliation for an alleged Israeli airstrike on its consulate in Damascus that killed two generals from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
Almost all of the Iranian drones and missiles were shot down by Israel and its allies – including the UK, the US, and the air forces of other countries – raising the spectre of a conflict spreading across the region and beyond.
But in an attempt to lower tensions, US president Joe Biden warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the US would not join a further counteroffensive, while senior White House officials said they “don’t seek a wider war in the region” or one with Iran.
Ahead of a meeting of the Israeli war cabinet yesterday, minister Benny Gantz, the former head of the military, vowed that the “campaign is not over” and added that Iran would build a regional coalition to counter the threat from Iran “when the time is right”.
“Iran is a global problem, it is a regional challenge and it is also a danger to Israel, and yesterday, the world clearly stood together with Israel in the face of the danger,” he said.
“Faced with the threat of Iran we will build a regional coalition and exact the price from Iran in the way and at the time that suits us”.
His words were echoed by Israel’s defence minister Yoav Gallant who also spoke of establishing a “strategic alliance against this grave threat by Iran”.
Israeli president Isaac Herzog called Tehran “an empire of evil which has its proxies, led all over the region and [with] all cells all over the world”.
This story is from the April 15, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 15, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Patients at risk of assault in mixed-sex wards scandal
The use of mixed-sex wards has gone “through the roof” after the number of men and women being put in beds next to each other soared to nearly its highest level in a decade.
Tory plot to oust Sunak and install Mordaunt as new PM
Conservative rebels hatching a '100 days to save Britain' plan
In make-or-break week, PM isn't master of his own fate
It’s another case of one step forward, two steps back for Rishi Sunak.
Losing mayoral duo would 'set Tory vultures circling'
Rishi Sunak has been warned that losses in the Tees Valley and West Midlands mayoral elections would “set the vultures circling”, with restless Tory MPs agitating for a leadership challenge.
Legal migration to Britain a bigger scandal, Jenrick says
Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick has called for a cap on net immigration, claiming a “far more restrictive system” is needed.
Will growing pressure cause Tories to cap net migration?
With a general election approaching and Rishi Sunak’s position looking increasingly perilous, pressure is growing on the prime minister to announce an overhaul of Britain’s immigration laws.
Ireland planning new law to send migrants back to UK
Irish premier Simon Harris has asked his justice minister to bring forward emergency legislation to allow Ireland to send asylum seekers back to the UK.
'I will find out who you are and rape and kill you'
Women gamers reveal extent of threats driving them offline
Wet weather could see cost of beer and biscuits spiral
The price of bread, beer and biscuits may rise this year as research suggests the unusually wet weather seen over autumn and winter could hit UK harvests by almost a fifth.
More human remains found after Salford torso discovery
Police have discovered more human remains in two locations after widening a murder investigation in a nature reserve in Salford following the discovery of a torso.
