Israel confirms response to Iran attack as Netanyahu urges countries to 'stand united'

The war cabinet of Israel held a meeting to discuss and decide how they would respond to the missile and drone attack of Iran. Israel did not announce if they had reached a decision.

The actions of Iran were strongly condemned by the allies of Israel, however, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government was appealed by the countries to show some restraint.

Even though Iran has signalled they consider the matter closed, the Israeli military's chief of staff Lt Gen Herzi Halevi said that the attack will not go unanswered.

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“This launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles and drones into Israeli territory will be met with a response,” said Halevi, while speaking from the Nevatim Air Force base in southern Israel, which also suffered a little damage in the attack.

Since the attack, this is the clearest confirmation given by Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt Gen Herzi Halevi that Israel would strike back.

Also Read:Iran says it informed neighbours about attack on Israel 72 hours in advance

Meanwhile, Iran stated that they would respond to any strikes from Israel in 'seconds'.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Ali Bagheri Kan emphasised that the response speed from Iran "will be less than a few seconds."

In the last two days, Israel’s war cabinet held a meeting for the fourth time as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again discussed what should be the next step with his Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Benny Gantz, the former defence minister and centrist Netanyahu rival.

Netanyahu appeals countries to 'stand united' against Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that world peace is being threatened by Iran and asked the international community to stand united against the Islamic Republic.

"The international community must continue to stand united in resisting this Iranian aggression, which threatens world peace," Netanyahu said, in a statement released by his office on X.

IAEA chief says Israel may strike Iran nuclear facilities

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said that the nuclear facilities had been closed in Iran over “security considerations” and although it was reopened on Monday (April 16), IAEA inspectors were kept away “until we see that the situation is completely calm.”

“We are going to resume tomorrow. This has not had an impact on our inspection activity," said Grossi, while speaking to reporters in New York.

Speaking about the possibility of Israeli striking Iranian nuclear facilities, Grossi said, “We are always concerned about this possibility.” He urged “extreme restraint.”

US says 'not involved' in Israel's decision-making process

The US officials on Monday (April 15) said that Israel is most likely to counter Iran’s attack, in which more than 300 missiles and drones were involved.

However, the Biden administration is hoping that Israel's retaliation will be limited to counterstrikes and they will not aim at Iranian territory.

Speaking to CNN on Monday (April 15), White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said, “We respect that that’s a decision the war cabinet, the prime minister, have to make. We know that they live in a very tough neighbourhood. We are not involved in their decision-making process about a potential response."

Watch:Iran attacks Israel: Israel's war cabinet decides to retaliate: Reports

However, he said that US President Joe Biden had “also been very clear that we don’t want a war with Iran. We don’t seek to widen and broaden this conflict. We don’t want to see things escalate.”

The Pentagon said that additional fighter squadrons which were stationed in the Middle East before the weekend are still there.

Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said that Air Force fighter jet squadrons in the region along with the Navy ships in the Mediterranean Sea shot down Iranian missiles and drones early on Sunday (April 14).

(With inputs from agencies)