SAT Desk
Israel will exact a price from Iran in response to its mass missile and drone attack when the time is right, centrist war Cabinet minister Benny Gantz said on Sunday (Apr 14).
"We will build a regional coalition and exact the price from Iran in the fashion and timing that is right for us," Gantz said in a statement as the Israeli war Cabinet was due to convene to discuss Israel's response to Iran's attack.
Israel was on high alert Sunday after Iran's unprecedented missile and drone attack drew an international chorus of condemnation and sparked fears of a broader conflict.
Iran launched its first-ever direct assault on Israeli territory late Saturday in retaliation for a deadly Damascus strike, marking a major escalation of the long-running covert war between the regional foes.
Iran said Saturday's assault was itself a response to the Apr 1 air strike on Tehran's consulate building in the Syrian capital that has been widely blamed on Israel.
However, the attack from hundreds of missiles and drones, mostly launched from inside Iran, caused only modest damage in Israel as most were shot down with the help of the US, Britain and Jordan.
White House spokesman John Kirby said on NBC's Meet the Press that repelling the mass drone attack had been a "incredible military achievement" by Israel and its partners and had shown how Israel is not isolated on the world stage.
"Now, whether and how the Israelis will respond, that's going to be up to them. We understand that and respect that. But the president's been very clear: We don't seek a war with Iran."
President Joe Biden has warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the US will not take part in a counter-offensive against Iran if Israel decides to retaliate for a mass drone and missile attack on Israeli territory overnight, a White House official said.
The threat of open warfare erupting between the arch Middle East foes and dragging in the United States has put the region on edge, triggering calls for restraint from global powers and Arab nations to avoid further escalation.
US media reported earlier on Sunday that Biden had informed Netanyahu he would not participate in retaliatory action in a phone call overnight. The remarks were confirmed to Reuters by a White House official.
The US will continue to help Israel defend itself, but does not want war, John Kirby, the White House's top national security spokesperson, told ABC's "This Week" program on Sunday.
