US president Joe Biden fears a “catastrophic escalation” if Israel decides to hit back at Iran after Saturday’s unprecedented aerial attack.
Netanyahu’s war cabinet has drawn up plans to seek revenge on Iran as world leaders hold their breath to see if an “uncontrollable war” breaks out in the Middle East.
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Tehran unleashed the disturbing attack against Israel on Saturday night, launching 110 ballistic missiles, 36 cruise missiles and 185 attack drones.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog described it as a “declaration of war” and said it is “about time the world faces this empire of evil in Tehran”.
The IDF have since approved plans for an “offensive” against Iran and the UN has warned the Middle East is “on the brink”.
Western leaders’ fears of an apocalyptic all-out war across the region are sparking calls for restraint from Tel Aviv.
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Leaders from G7 including the UK and US held emergency crunch talks on Sunday to discuss the possibility of an Israeli retaliation.
They warned that Iran had provoked an “uncontrollable regional escalation” in it’s attack which “must be avoided”.
But the seven heads of state also said their countries are “ready to take further measures” in thwarting more possible Iranian ambushes.
Biden, Israel’s primary supporter throughout its war with Hamas, spoke with Netanyahu on Saturday night – laying down the law for US support.
Three senior White House officials told NBC that he expressed fears America was being pulled directly into the Middle East chaos.
He has concerns the planned Israeli response could be “frenetic” or “catastrophically escalatory”.
And Biden told Netanyahu that the US will not join them in a counter-offensive attack on Iran, a White House official said.
US ambassador to the UN Robert Wood did however say that any attempts by Iran to attack the US via its proxies would spark a response.
“Let me be clear: if Iran or its proxies take actions against the United States or further action against Israel, Iran will be held responsible,” he said.
Israel’s revenge plans
Military spokesperson Admiral Daniel Hagari said on Sunday: “Over the last two hours, we approved operational plans for both offensive and defensive action.
“We will continue to protect the State of Israel, and together with our partners, we will continue to build a more secure and stable future for the entire Middle East.”
He did not clarify the specifics of Israel’s plan after Netanyahu summoned his war cabinet for crisis talks about a possible response.
Israel’s Channel 12 said an unnamed official from the summit revealed the country has vowed to launch a “significant response”.
But reports suggest officials are divided over the scale and timing of any attack.
The White House reportedly believes Israel is not looking to ignite a full-blown war with Iran.
But an Israeli official from Netanyahu’s office said: “Israel can’t allow such a large attack over Israel without some kind of response be it small or large.”
International response
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told an emergency Security Council meeting on Sunday: “The Middle East is on the brink.
“The people of the region are confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict. Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate.”
The Middle East is on the brink.The people of the region are confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict
Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General
UK foreign minister David Cameron said this morning that Iran’s attack was significant and Israel has “every right to respond”.
While he urged caution to “avoid escalation”, he said Israel would “make their own decisions”.
“It is a significant attack I mean, 110 ballistic missiles, 36 cruise missiles, 185 drones. And so of course, Israel has every right to respond.
“But I think we’re very anxious to avoid escalation and to say to our friends in Israel, it’s a time to think with, with head as well as heart,” he said.
A joint statement from G7 leaders yesterday also urged caution, fearing an “uncontrollable” war in the region.
It said: “We, the leaders of the G7, unequivocally condemn in the strongest terms Iran’s direct and unprecedented attack against Israel.
“We express our full solidarity and support to Israel and its people and reaffirm our commitment towards its security.
“With its actions, Iran has further stepped toward the destabilization of the region and risks provoking an uncontrollable regional escalation. This must be avoided.”
Iran’s attack
An aerial barrage of drones and long-range missiles were unleashed from Iran overnight on Saturday as Israel braced for impact and it’s allies rallied to help fight them off.
At least four Typhoon fighters were scrambled from RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus to help Israel fight them off.
The complex mission involving RAF top guns helped take out the weapons bound for Israel – potentially holding off catastrophe.
It was the biggest air-to-air battle involving the UK since the Falklands in 1982.
British, US, French, Jordanian forces and Israel’s “Iron Dome” missile defence system intercepted 99 per cent of the aerial barrage.
The US destroyed more than 80 of Iran’s one-way attack drones along with at least six ballistic missiles shot from Iran and Yemen.
Most of the drones and missiles came from inside Iran, but others were launched from inside its terror proxy hotbeds – Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
War minister Benny Gantz warned afterwards: “We will exact a price in the way and at the time that is right for us.”
Iran’s ambassador to the UN issued a disturbing threat to Israel as he spoke to Sky about Saturday night’s attack.
He said in a chilling interview that “the next one will be decisive”.
Amir Saeid Iravani, talking after the emergency UN meeting on Sunday, claimed Israel “would know what our second retaliation would be… they understand the next one will be most decisive”.
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