Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz raised eyebrows on Friday when he said Israel would expect international partners such as the United Kingdom and France to join Israel in responding to a potential strike from Iran, \u201cnot only in defense, but also in attacking significant targets in Iran.\u201d <\/p>\n
Katz made the claim during a meeting to discuss \u201cpreventing regional escalation and promoting a hostage deal,\u201d with his British and Israeli counterparts in Jerusalem, according to a readout from the Israeli foreign office. <\/p>\n
Both France and the UK, however, have downplayed such a prospect, with the UK emphasizing the need to break the \u201ccurrent destructive cycle of retaliatory violence\u201d in the Middle East. <\/p>\n
French Foreign Minister St\u00e9phane S\u00e9journ\u00e9 told a press conference in Jerusalem that it would be \u201cinappropriate\u201d to speak of \u201ca retaliation or preparation for an Israeli retaliation\u201d whilst diplomatic talks are underway. <\/p>\n
Katz\u2019s declaration comes amid heightened fears of a reprisal attack from Iran, following the assassination of Hamas\u2019 political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Iran has blamed Israel for Haniyeh\u2019s death but Israel hasn\u2019t confirmed or denied responsibility. <\/p>\n
When asked about Katz\u2019s statement, a UK foreign office spokesperson stressed that the UK is \u201cworking in lockstep with our allies to deescalate tensions,\u201d adding that they \u201curge all parties to refrain from perpetuating the current destructive cycle of retaliatory violence.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cWe call on Iran and its allies to refrain from attacks that would further escalate regional tensions and jeopardise the opportunity to agree a ceasefire and the release of hostages. No country or nation stands to gain from a further escalation in the Middle East,\u201d the spokesperson added. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a senior United States administration official struck a harsher tone, warning on Friday there could be \u201ccataclysmic\u201d consequences and \u201cparticularly for Iran\u201d if Tehran decides to strike Israel and escalate the conflict in the Middle East. <\/p>\n
The official added that the US has encouraged Iran, through intermediaries, to not attack as there is a \u201cpath\u201d to achieve a ceasefire and hostage deal on the table. The de-escalation and potential for a ceasefire deal are \u201cseparate,\u201d the official said, but they are happening in \u201cparallel.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have deployed the military resources to the region that are needed for every possible contingency, and we\u2019re working in very close coordination with partners and allies,\u201d the official added. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are ready for any possible contingency, and we\u2019re going to help defend Israel, and not going to get ahead of anything else that. I just say this, this attack from Iran has been predicted now, I think every day over the last two and a half weeks. So you know, let\u2019s see. I\u2019ll just say we are prepared,\u201d they added. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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