President Joe Biden engaged in urgent discussions with the leaders of the G7 nations regarding the conflict in the Middle East, following a significant drone and missile assault by Iran on Israel. This critical meeting came after international and Israeli defense forces successfully intercepted over 300 Iranian drones and missiles aimed at Israel.
During the secure video conference held on April 14, Biden, along with leaders from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, deliberated on Iran’s attack that occurred the previous night. The collaborative defense efforts involving the US, Britain, France, and Jordan, alongside Israel’s missile defense systems, were pivotal in thwarting the attack.
Despite the success in defense, the situation escalated as Israel prepared for a potential counterstrike, facing opposition from the US. Biden explicitly advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from retaliatory actions, emphasizing that while the US supports Israel’s defense, it does not endorse a counterstrike against Iran. He advised Netanyahu to consider the defense a victory and maintain a defensive stance.
The G7 leaders collectively condemned Iran’s aggressive actions but echoed Biden’s call for restraint from Israel. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron both advocated for de-escalation, urging Israel to be content with the successful defense against the Iranian offensive.
As discussions unfolded among Netanyahu’s war cabinet regarding potential retaliatory measures, they explored strategies to strategically impact Iran’s military capabilities without causing extensive casualties. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has requested prior notification from Israel of any planned military actions to safeguard US forces stationed in the region.
Iran has issued warnings of a “decisive and much stronger response” should Israel or its allies retaliate. Despite the pressure from Biden and the precarious geopolitical balance, indicators suggest that Israel might still proceed with a retaliation, underscoring the tense and volatile nature of the situation.
