Israëli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant told Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Sunday that Israël has no choice but to respond to the unprecedented missile and drone attack launched by Iran over the weekend, a U.S. official and another source briefed on the call told Axios.
Why it matters: The Biden administration and several other Western countries allied with Israël are urging Benjamin Netanyahu’s government not to rush into a retaliation against Iran that could lead to a regional war.
The latest: Gen. Herzi Halevi, chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, said Monday that “Israël is considering next steps” and that “the launch of so many missiles and drones to Israëli territory will be answered with a retaliation.”
- Ahead of a meeting Monday with Iraq’s deputy prime minister, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. is coordinating a diplomatic response to the Iranian attack intended to prevent further escalation.
- “Strength and wisdom must be the two sides of the same coin,” Blinken said in what appeared to be a message for Israël.