Israel Anticipates Support from US and Allied Nations for Airstrikes on Iran
Israel’s foreign minister stated that the country anticipates support from the US, Britain, and France in conducting offensive operations against Tehran. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has called on his counterparts in Britain and France to "publicly clarify" their commitment to supporting Israel in the event of a direct conflict with Iran.
Katz expressed his expectations during a meeting in Jerusalem with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourne. He articulated that not only Israel's alliance with the United States is crucial, but also the participation of allies like the UK and France in any offensive operations against Iran.
According to a statement from Katz's office, shared by the Times of Israel, he stated, "Israel expects France and Britain to publicly clarify to Iran that it is unacceptable for it to attack Israel, and that if Iran attacks, the US-led coalition will join Israel not only in defense but also in an attack against significant targets in Iran." He emphasized this point in a post on X (formerly Twitter), noting that he made it "clear" to his colleagues that their countries should announce they "will stand with Israel not only in defense but also in striking targets in Iran."
In response to Katz's assertions, the French and British diplomats appeared to downplay the remarks. Séjourne commented to reporters that it would be "inappropriate" to discuss any potential "retaliation or preparation for an Israeli retaliation" amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to broker peace in the Gaza conflict. A joint statement from the French and British governments after the meeting also omitted any mention of an anti-Iran coalition.
The diplomats confirmed, “We have urged Iran and its proxies to stand down the ongoing threats of military attack against Israel. We have also stressed to all parties that the spiral of escalating reprisals must end," marking their only reference to Iran during the conversation.
This meeting came just before indirect ceasefire negotiations concluded without any significant agreements, although commitments were made to reconvene in the following week.
The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing for 10 months, following a violent incursion by Hamas that resulted in approximately 1,100 deaths and around 200 hostages. Israel's extensive ground and air offensive has reportedly led to over 40,000 Palestinian fatalities, according to health officials in Gaza.
Tensions in the region heightened following the assassination of Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Tehran shortly after attending the inauguration of Masoud Pezeshkian as Iran's president. Iran has declared it will impose a "harsh punishment" on Israel for the killing, though Israel has not confirmed nor denied involvement.
The United States has increased its military presence in the Middle East, deploying additional warships and a submarine to safeguard Israel from possible threats. However, it remains uncertain whether Washington endorses any military strikes against Iran.
In April, following a barrage of missiles and drones fired by Iran at Israel in retaliation for the bombing of its embassy in Damascus, US fighter jets and naval vessels played a defensive role by intercepting many of the incoming attacks. Nonetheless, these operations were strictly defensive, with no direct counterattacks on Iranian targets.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
Katz expressed his expectations during a meeting in Jerusalem with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourne. He articulated that not only Israel's alliance with the United States is crucial, but also the participation of allies like the UK and France in any offensive operations against Iran.
According to a statement from Katz's office, shared by the Times of Israel, he stated, "Israel expects France and Britain to publicly clarify to Iran that it is unacceptable for it to attack Israel, and that if Iran attacks, the US-led coalition will join Israel not only in defense but also in an attack against significant targets in Iran." He emphasized this point in a post on X (formerly Twitter), noting that he made it "clear" to his colleagues that their countries should announce they "will stand with Israel not only in defense but also in striking targets in Iran."
In response to Katz's assertions, the French and British diplomats appeared to downplay the remarks. Séjourne commented to reporters that it would be "inappropriate" to discuss any potential "retaliation or preparation for an Israeli retaliation" amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to broker peace in the Gaza conflict. A joint statement from the French and British governments after the meeting also omitted any mention of an anti-Iran coalition.
The diplomats confirmed, “We have urged Iran and its proxies to stand down the ongoing threats of military attack against Israel. We have also stressed to all parties that the spiral of escalating reprisals must end," marking their only reference to Iran during the conversation.
This meeting came just before indirect ceasefire negotiations concluded without any significant agreements, although commitments were made to reconvene in the following week.
The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing for 10 months, following a violent incursion by Hamas that resulted in approximately 1,100 deaths and around 200 hostages. Israel's extensive ground and air offensive has reportedly led to over 40,000 Palestinian fatalities, according to health officials in Gaza.
Tensions in the region heightened following the assassination of Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Tehran shortly after attending the inauguration of Masoud Pezeshkian as Iran's president. Iran has declared it will impose a "harsh punishment" on Israel for the killing, though Israel has not confirmed nor denied involvement.
The United States has increased its military presence in the Middle East, deploying additional warships and a submarine to safeguard Israel from possible threats. However, it remains uncertain whether Washington endorses any military strikes against Iran.
In April, following a barrage of missiles and drones fired by Iran at Israel in retaliation for the bombing of its embassy in Damascus, US fighter jets and naval vessels played a defensive role by intercepting many of the incoming attacks. Nonetheless, these operations were strictly defensive, with no direct counterattacks on Iranian targets.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
