‘Israel will exact price from Iran when timing is right,’ says war cabinet minister

Israel on Sunday (Apr 14) said that it will exact a price from Iran in response to its missile and drone strike when the timing is right.

Centrist war cabinet minister Benny Gantz said that Tel Aviv would build a regional coalition in the face of the Iranian threat.

"In the face of the Iranian threat, we will build a regional coalition and exact the price from Iran in the fashion and timing that is right for us," Gantz said in a recorded statement on Sunday (Apr 14).

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"And most importantly, faced with the desire of our enemies to harm us, we will continue to unite and become stronger," he added.

Iran on Saturday (Apr 13) launched a drone and missile strike against Israel in retaliation for an Israeli attack on its Damascus consulate on April 1 that killed seven officers, including a senior commander of the IRGC. Israeli residents in Jerusalem said they did not want a war with Iran. A report by the news agency Reuters said that Israel reported modest damage and reopened its airspace.

G7 leaders condemn Iran

Leaders of the G7 nations on Sunday (Apr 14) denounced Iran's unprecedented attacks against Israel and said that they would work together in order to avert an "uncontrollable regional escalation" in the Middle East region.

Italy, which is the current holder of the G7 presidency, had called a virtual meeting of G7 leaders on Sunday (Apr 14). The development came after United States President Joe Biden vowed a coordinated diplomatic response to Iran's retaliatory drone and missile attack.

"With its actions, Iran has further stepped toward the destabilization of the region and risks provoking an uncontrollable regional escalation. This must be avoided," a statement issued by Italy said.

The G7 heads demanded Iran to exert restraint.

"In this spirit, we demand that Iran and its proxies cease their attacks, and we stand ready to take further measures now and in response to further destabilizing initiatives," it said.

They also vowed to work "towards an immediate and sustainable ceasefire" in Gaza.

(With inputs from agencies)