Israel FM says expects allies to attack Iran if it strikes

JERUSALEM - Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on Aug 16 his country expected support from foreign allies “in attacking” Iran if it strikes Israel, comments deemed “inappropriate” by France’s visiting top diplomat.

Iran and its regional allies

have vowed retaliation

for high-profile killings in late July blamed on Israel, including an attack in Tehran that

killed Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh,

which Israel has not claimed responsibility for.

“If Iran attacks, we expect the coalition to join Israel not only in defence but also in attacking significant targets in Iran,” Mr Katz told his counterparts, France’s Stephane Sejourne and Britain’s David Lammy, according to a statement from the Israeli foreign minister’s office.

Mr Sejourne, who is on a joint visit to Israel with Mr Lammy, said it would be “inappropriate” to discuss responding to any attack while diplomacy is in high gear to stop it happening.

“It would be inappropriate to speak of an Israeli response while we work towards a diplomatic solution... We are working to prevent Iranian retaliation,” he told reporters in Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, Israel said US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin reiterated that Washington was ready to “defend Israel”.

The United States “continues to monitor attack planning from Iran and its proxies and is well-postured across the region to defend Israel and protect US personnel and facilities”, Mr Austin said in a phone call with Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, according to an Israeli readout.

Mr Lammy and Mr Sejourne were visiting while Israel, the US and mediators Qatar and Egypt held talks in Doha aimed at brokering a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and a hostage release deal.

More than 10 months of war in the Gaza Strip have sent regional tensions soaring, drawing in Iran-backed Hamas allies in the Middle East.

Violence has also surged in the occupied West Bank, where on Aug 15

Israeli settlers stormed a Palestinian village,

killing a 23-year-old man in an attack that has drawn widespread condemnation.

Mr Lammy called the violence “abhorrent” and condemned it “in the strongest of terms”.

Mr Sejourne said that “any action that could jeopardise the negotiation process towards a ceasefire deal is unacceptable.” AFP