JERUSALEM: Israel faced pressure from its allies on Wednesday to refrain from striking back at Iran for its unprecedented missile and drone attack as the United States and European Union vowed to ramp up sanctions against the Islamic republic.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German counterpart Annalena Baerbock visited Israel to urge calm in the aftermath of Iran’s unprecedented attack over the weekend, which targeted Israel in retaliation for a deadly strike on Iran’s Damascus consulate.
Cameron emphasized the importance of avoiding escalation, urging Israel to consider both strategic and humanitarian factors in its response. He highlighted the failure of Iran’s attack and condemned its malign influence in the region.
Despite Israel’s vow to retaliate against Iran’s first-ever direct assault, the United States and European Union have signaled their opposition to military action. Instead, they have pledged to ramp up sanctions targeting Iran’s missile and drone program, as well as its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and defense ministry.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan affirmed the US commitment to containing Iran’s military capacity through sanctions, while EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell announced plans to expand sanctions against Iran.
Meanwhile, talks toward a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza have stalled, prolonging the suffering of Palestinians amid ongoing Israeli bombardment and combat. The UN has launched an appeal for $2.8 billion in aid to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
