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Israel bars UN secretary-general from entering country
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz says he is barring UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres from entering the country for his failure to “unequivocally condemn” Iran’s huge missile attack on Israel.
Shortly after Iran’s attack, Guterres condemned the escalation of violence in the region, but made no mention of Iran.
“Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran’s heinous attack on Israel does not deserve to step foot on Israeli soil,” said Katz in a statement. “This is an anti-Israel Secretary-General who lends support to terrorists, rapists, and murderers.”
‘Deeply concerned’: India urges Israel-Iran restraint
India says it’s “deeply concerned” by the escalating conflict and urges restraint and protection of civilians as Israel prepares to retaliate against a barrage of Iranian missile strikes.
“It is important that the conflict doesn’t take a wider regional dimension and we urge that all issues be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy,” India’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
Israeli officials pledged to respond after Iran fired ballistic missiles at key military and security targets in Israel. Iran says the strikes were in response to attacks on Gaza and Lebanon.
Italy to host G7 discussion on escalating crisis
The office of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says she will host a call of Group of Seven leaders later today to discuss the escalating crisis.
Meloni told her cabinet that there was “deep concern” about the latest developments, including Iran’s missile attack against Israel and the growing instability in Lebanon, her office said.
China, Saudi Arabia urge Israel-Iran de-escalation
Beijing has urged world powers to prevent the situation in the Middle East from worsening following Iran’s firing of 180 missiles into Israel.
“The Chinese side calls on the international community, especially major influential powers, to truly play a constructive role and prevent the situation from further deteriorating,” a Foreign Ministry statement said.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Economy Minister Faisal al-Ibrahim said his country is hoping for “de-escalation and dialogue”.
Israel’s response to Iran ‘to be harsher than last time’
Andreas Krieg, senior lecturer at the School of Security Studies at King’s College London, says any military response by Israel against Iran is unlikely to damage its nuclear facilities, which are “deep underground, under mountains, so very few options there”.
“The attack by Iran yesterday was far more severe than in April in terms of impact, so the response sent by Israel will have to be harsher than last time with aircraft perhaps entering Iranian airspace and targeting military sites,” Krieg told Al Jazeera.
“I don’t see how attacks on non-military sites, such as oil refineries, would have any impact or be any way justified as a form of response to this strike yesterday.
“What is key here is Israel wants to show resolve and strength, but there’s also a lot of hubris in terms of thinking Israel can achieve something that I think they cannot achieve militarily.”
