Western powers are urging the Israeli government to show restraint in its expected response to the Iranian missile strikes last week. Officials from Germany, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere have asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration not to escalate the situation into an active conflict. However, those same officials say Israel is not listening to outside input.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron reported after a Wednesday trip to Israel that it's right to have made their views clear about what should happen next, but it's clear the Israelis are making a decision to act. He added that they hope Israel acts in a way that does as little to escalate the situation as possible.
Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel on Saturday in response to an apparent strike on Iran’s embassy compound in Syria on April 1 that killed 12 people, including two Iranian generals. The Iranian government blames Israel for the attack, although Israel has not claimed any involvement.
German Minister of Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock, after the same Wednesday trip to Israel, stated that the region must not step-by-step slide into a situation with a totally unpredictable outcome. She emphasized that everyone must now act prudently and responsibly.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has vowed to completely destroy Israel should it proceed with even the tiniest invasion of its country. Raisi, speaking at an annual army parade on Wednesday, warned Israel of a massive and harsh response as the country braces for potential Israeli retaliation after Iran’s missile and drone attack over the weekend.
