The U.S. and its allies are preparing new sanctions against Iran following its unprecedented attack on Israel. These measures aim to deter Israel from a significant escalation as its War Cabinet is scheduled to meet for a third time later on Wednesday to formulate a response.
Although the attack resulted in no casualties and minimal damage, b’chasdei Shamayim, due to effective air defenses from Israel and its allies, it has heightened concerns of broader war. The incident underscores the potential for the six-month-old Gaza conflict to expand into a direct confrontation between Iran and Israel.
IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi stated that Iran’s barrage of over 300 missiles, cruise missiles, and drones would not go unanswered, though specifics were not provided. A government source noted that Tuesday’s War Cabinet meeting was postponed to Wednesday, without further details.
In efforts to prevent a major Israeli retaliation, the U.S. and European nations have signaled a strengthening of economic and political sanctions against Iran. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan announced that the U.S. would soon impose sanctions targeting Iran’s missile and drone capabilities, with similar actions expected from its allies. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also emphasized ongoing efforts to disrupt Iran’s destabilizing activities and mentioned that new measures targeting Iran’s terrorist financing were imminent.
EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, after an emergency video conference with EU foreign ministers, reported that some member states had requested an expansion of sanctions against Iran. Plans include not only targeting Iranian drone supplies to Russia but also extending to missile provisions and possibly affecting Iranian proxies in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz initiated a diplomatic offensive, urging 32 countries to sanction Iran’s missile program and designate its Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.
President Joe Biden assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S., while a staunch ally of Israel, would not participate in any retaliatory strikes by Israel.
Source: Hamodia
