Israel hails ‘success’ in blocking Iran’s unprecedented attack. Biden now seeks diplomatic response
- The US and Israel had been bracing for an attack for days after Iran vowed to retaliate for a suspected Israeli strike this month
- Iran’s Foreign Ministry said it is calling in ambassadors of Germany, UK and France over ‘irresponsible positions’ relating to Iran’s attack on Israel
Israel on Sunday hailed its successful air defences in the face of an unprecedented attack by Iran, saying it and its allies thwarted 99 per cent of the more than 300 drones and missiles launched towards its territory. But regional tensions remain high, amid fears of further escalation in the event of a possible Israeli counterstrike.
US President Joe Biden said he would convene a meeting of the Group of Seven advanced democracies on Sunday “to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack”. The language indicated that the Biden administration does not want Iran’s assault to spiral into a broader military conflict.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Sunday said it was calling in the ambassadors of Germany, Britain and France in connection with their “irresponsible positions” relating to Iran’s overnight attack on Israel.
The French foreign minister said on Sunday that France will summon Iran’s ambassador over the Islamic Republic’s strikes on Israel and vowed a firm approach.
“I have asked the foreign ministry to summon the ambassador of Iran tomorrow to express ... a message of firmness,” Stephane Sejourne said on television channel France 2, adding that it was “the Iranians who attacked Israel”.
There was no immediate response from London and Berlin. Britain and France played subordinate roles to Israel and the United States in warding off the mass attack mounted directly from Iranian territory.
All three countries have condemned the attack and warned of escalation amid a febrile situation in the region.