In response to the retaliatory attack on Israel, the United States has announced new sanctions on Iran’s missile and drone programs.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that it is hoped that US allies and partners will also take such measures, adding the purpose of sanctions on Iran is to limit its military power. He said that pressure on Iran will be maintained through sanctions and other measures.
Israel’s war cabinet is set to meet for a third time today to decide a response to Iran’s unprecedented retaliatory attack.
Herzi Halevi, the Israel’s military chief of staff had promised that Iran’s attack would be met with a response. However, he gave no details about his claim.
The US and Europe with the view to steer Israel away from massive retaliation have flagged a toughening of economic and political sanctions against Iran.
Yesterday, US National Security Spokesman John Kirby has said that the US is working to increase economic pressure on Iran.
Kirby said it was false that Iran had warned of an attack on Israel in advance, saying only a message about attack was received from Tehran but it did not include a time, target or nature of response.
The spokesman said that while Iran’s clear intention was to do more destruction, Israel is in a very strong strategic position today.
Earlier, following Iran’s unprecedented airstrikes on Israel, US President Joe Biden has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his country would not engage in any counterattack against Tehran.
According to a senior US administration official, the comments were conveyed in a phone call with Netanyahu in the wake of Iran’s strikes against Israel.
