FIRE & FURY
Israel warns of ‘imminent’ revenge strike as Iran vows to unleash ‘1,500 missiles’ – risking all-out war in Middle East
Israeli president Isaac Herzog described Iran's attack as a 'declaration of war'
ISRAEL'S response to Iran's drone and missile barrage may be "imminent", an Israeli official has warned.
It comes as Iran vowed to launch ten times the amount of missiles in a fresh strike against Israel if it unleashes a retaliatory hit on Tehran.
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Such a revenge strike from Israel "will be coordinated with the Americans", the IDF official stressed.
Their threat comes despite the US vowing not support Israel in retaliatory strikes against Iran.
Other world leaders have also urged restraint in the Israeli response.
Iran's fresh warning could see 1,460 missiles hurled at Israel as world leaders hold their breath to see if an "uncontrollable war" breaks out in the Middle East.
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Tehran unleashed a disturbing attack against Israel on Saturday night, launching 110 ballistic missiles, 36 cruise missiles and 185 attack drones.
A strike ten times the size would see over 3,300 weapons launched at Israel, including more than 1,400 missiles.
Speaking after Israel’s war Cabinet meeting on Monday, an Israeli spokesman said officials believe it's important any return attacks closely follow Iran's Sunday night bombardment.
Several diplomatic and military options were examined during the Cabinet meeting, they said, adding: “Any response will be coordinated with the Americans."
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The Council issued a chilling warning that said: "If the Zionist regime persists in its evil actions against Iran, by any means and to any extent, it will face a response at least tenfold greater and of similar nature."
Iran's Supreme National Security Council previously vowed to retaliate if Israel launches a counter-strike - for which IDF plans have already been drawn up.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog described the Saturday night ambush as a "declaration of war" and the UN has since warned the Middle East is "on the brink".
Herzog said it is "time the world faces this empire of evil in Tehran" as Western leaders' fears of an all-out war across the region spark calls for restraint.
US President Joe Biden is said to fear a "catastrophic escalation" if Israel does decide to hit back at Iran after the unprecedented aerial attack.
The IDF has approved plans for an ";offensive" against Iran and Netanyahu's war cabinet met for the second time on Monday to deliberate.
Government spokesman David Mencer said afterwards the country "retains all its options".
He said: "We reserve the right to do everything in our power, and we will do everything in our power to defend this country."
Leaders from G7 including the UK and US held emergency crunch talks on Sunday to discuss the possibility of an Israeli retaliation.
They warned that Iran had provoked an "uncontrollable regional escalation" in its attack which "must be avoided".
But the seven heads of state also said their countries are "ready to take further measures" in thwarting more possible Iranian ambushes.
Biden, Israel's primary supporter throughout its war with Hamas, spoke with Netanyahu on Saturday night - laying down the law for US support.
Three senior White House officials told NBC that he expressed fears America was being pulled directly into the Middle East chaos.
US officials said they have concerns the planned Israeli response could be "frenetic" or "catastrophically escalatory".
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And Biden told Netanyahu that the US will not join them in a counter-offensive attack on Iran, a White House official said.
US ambassador to the UN, Robert Wood, did however say that any attempts by Iran to attack the US via its proxies would spark a response.
"Let me be clear: if Iran or its proxies take actions against the United States or further action against Israel, Iran will be held responsible," he said.
Israel's revenge plans
Military spokesperson Admiral Daniel Hagari said on Sunday: "Over the last two hours, we approved operational plans for both offensive and defensive action.
"We will continue to protect the State of Israel, and together with our partners, we will continue to build a more secure and stable future for the entire Middle East."
He did not clarify the specifics of Israel's plan after Netanyahu summoned his war cabinet for crisis talks about a possible response.
We were attacked last night from four corners of the Middle East with proxies shooting at us, firing ballistic missiles, drones and cruise missiles... this is a declaration of war
Isaac Herzog, Israeli president
Hagari doubled down and said Israel has the "legal right to retaliate" amid growing fears of WW3.
Israel's Channel 12 said an unnamed official from the summit revealed the country has vowed to launch a "significant response".
But reports suggest officials are divided over the scale and timing of any attack.
The White House reportedly believes Israel is not looking to ignite a full-blown war with Iran.
But an Israeli official from Netanyahu's office said: "Israel can't allow such a large attack over Israel without some kind of response be it small or large."
After the attack Israeli president Herzog raged: "We were attacked last night from four corners of the Middle East with proxies shooting at us, firing ballistic missiles, drones and cruise missiles.
"This is like a real war. I mean, this is a declaration of war."
International response
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told an emergency Security Council meeting on Sunday: "The Middle East is on the brink.
"The people of the region are confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict. Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate."
After more than six months of escalating Middle East tension amid Israel's war with Hamas, concerns are soaring that the latest explosion between Iran and Israel could spark WW3.
The Middle East is on the brink. The people of the region are confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict
Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General
UK foreign minister David Cameron said this morning that Iran's attack was significant and Israel has "every right to respond".
While he urged caution to "avoid escalation", he said Israel would "make their own decisions".
"It is a significant attack I mean, 110 ballistic missiles, 36 cruise missiles, 185 drones. And so of course, Israel has every right to respond.
"But I think we're very anxious to avoid escalation and to say to our friends in Israel, it's a time to think with, with head as well as heart," he said.
Lord Cameron also said Saturday's barrage was a "double defeat for Iran", as their attack was an "almost total failure" and the world can see "what a malign influence they are in the region".
PM Rishi Sunak condemned Iran’s attack as “reckless” and called for calm.
And a spokesperson for the prime minister rejected claims from officials in Turkey, Jordan and Iraq that Tehran had given advance warnings ahead of its attack.
A joint statement from G7 also urged caution, fearing an "uncontrollable" war in the region.
The leaders from Britain, the US, Japan, France, Germany, Italy and Canada are watching closely to see how the conflict develops in crucial coming days.
Their statement said: "We, the leaders of the G7, unequivocally condemn in the strongest terms Iran's direct and unprecedented attack against Israel.
"We express our full solidarity and support to Israel and its people and reaffirm our commitment towards its security.
"With its actions, Iran has further stepped toward the destabilization of the region and risks provoking an uncontrollable regional escalation. This must be avoided."
Iran's attack
An aerial barrage of drones and long-range missiles were unleashed from Iran overnight on Saturday as Israel braced for impact and it's allies rallied to help fight them off.
Tehran launched the attack in response to a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Syria on April 1 which killed several top IRGC commanders.
At least four Typhoon fighters were scrambled from RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus to help Israel fight them off.
Iran's foreign minister sent a bouquet of flowers to the IRGC responsible commander following the attack to thank him, Fars outlet reports.
Iran has further stepped toward the destabilization of the region and risks provoking an uncontrollable regional escalation. This must be avoided
G7 statement
The complex mission involving RAF top guns helped take out the weapons bound for Israel - potentially holding off catastrophe.
It was the biggest air-to-air battle involving the UK since the Falklands in 1982.
Sunak confirmed the £73million jets locked onto drones launched from Iranian soil and downed them before they could reach civilisation.
British, US, French, Jordanian forces and Israel’s “Iron Dome” missile defence system intercepted 99 per cent of the aerial barrage.
The US destroyed more than 80 of Iran's one-way attack drones along with at least six ballistic missiles shot from Iran and Yemen.
Most of the drones and missiles came from inside Iran, but others were launched from inside its terror proxy hotbeds - Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
War minister Benny Gantz warned afterwards: “We will exact a price in the way and at the time that is right for us.”
Iran's ambassador to the UN issued a disturbing threat to Israel as he spoke to about Saturday night's attack.
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He said in a chilling interview that "the next one will be decisive".
Amir Saeid Iravani, talking after the emergency UN meeting on Sunday, claimed Israel "would know what our second retaliation would be… they understand the next one will be most decisive".
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