Israeli Military Vows Response to Iran Attack as Calls for Restraint Mount
Editor
16 April 2024 17:52 WIB
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Iran's actions threaten stability in the Middle East and could cause economic spillovers. The U.S. would use sanctions, and work with allies, to keep disrupting Iran's "malign and destabilizing activity", she added.
However, some analysts said the Biden administration was unlikely to undertake dramatic sanctions action on Iran's oil exports due to worries about boosting oil prices and angering top buyer China.
In a call between the Chinese and Iranian foreign ministers, China said it believed Iran could "handle the situation well and spare the region further turmoil" while safeguarding its sovereignty and dignity, according to Chinese state media.
Russia has refrained from publicly criticizing its ally Iran but has also urged restraint.
"Further escalation is in no one's interests," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
G7 MULLS IRAN SANCTIONS
Iran's retaliatory attack, involving more than 300 missiles and drones, caused modest damage in Israel and wounded a 7-year-old girl. Most were shot down by Israel's Iron Dome defense system and with help from the U.S., Britain, France, and Jordan.
In Gaza itself, where more than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive according to Gaza health ministry figures, Iran's action drew applause.
Israel began its campaign against Hamas after the Palestinian militant group attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 253 hostages by Israeli tallies.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the Group of Seven major democracies was working on a package of coordinated measures against Iran.
"I spoke to my fellow G7 leaders, we are united in our condemnation of this attack," Sunak said in parliament.
Italy, which holds the rotating G7 presidency, said it was open to new sanctions and suggested any new measures would target individuals. In an interview with Reuters, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said all G7 members would have to back new sanctions.
Iran's attack has disrupted travel, with at least a dozen airlines canceling or rerouting flights, and Europe's aviation regulator reaffirming advice that airlines use caution in Israeli and Iranian airspace.
REUTERS
Editor's Choice: US Will Not Take Part in Any Israeli Retaliatory Action Against Iran: Joe Biden
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
