Israel will respond to Iran's missile attack, the military commander said

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JERUSALEM – Israel's military chief said Monday that his country would respond to Iran's attack over the weekend, but did not say when or how, as world leaders sought to avoid a spiral of violence in the Middle East and urged Israel not to retaliate.

Saturday's attack by Iran was in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital, Damascus, that killed two Iranian generals two weeks ago. It marked the first time Iran had launched a direct military attack on Israel since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, despite decades of enmity.

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Iran launched hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles at Israel in the attack. The Israeli military said 99% of the drones and missiles were intercepted in coordination with Israel's air defenses and warplanes and a US-led coalition of partners.

Israel's military chief, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, said on Monday that Israel was considering its next steps, but that the Iranian strike would be “responded to”.

Halevi did not provide any details. Army representative, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Israel would respond “at a time of our choosing.”

The two men spoke at the Nevatim Air Base in southern Israel, where Hagari said the Iranian attack had suffered only minor damage.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is meeting with top officials to discuss a possible response. The government did not announce any decision for the next day.

“Israel will do whatever it takes to defend itself,” Netanyahu's office said in an interview with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise.

Although Israeli leaders have hinted at retaliation, the government is under intense international pressure not to escalate the conflict – especially after Iran's strike caused little damage.

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The US has urged Israel to exercise restraint as it seeks a broad diplomatic response. The Group of Seven democratic nations issued a joint statement saying they “continue to condemn” the Iranian attack and express their “full solidarity and support for Israel.”

The US has also been working in recent years to strengthen ties between its anti-Iranian ally Israel and moderate Arab states.

Much of this cooperation took place under the umbrella of US Central Command, which oversees US military operations in the Middle East. Centcom works closely with countries throughout the region, including Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries.

The US, Britain and Jordan — America's main ally in the region — said their air forces helped intercept Iranian missiles and drones. Halewiya said France and “other partners” were involved, adding that “Iran's attack has created new opportunities for cooperation in the Middle East.”

According to a map published by the Israeli military, Iranian weapons also flew over the skies of Saudi Arabia. Israel says most of the interceptions were outside Israeli airspace, suggesting at least tacit cooperation with the Saudis.

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A unilateral strike by Israel could strain these intermediate ties, especially with countries that do not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel, such as Saudi Arabia. It could also threaten to open a new front with Iran at a time when Israel is mired in a six-month war against Hamas militants inside Gaza.

Israel and Iran have been on a collision course during the Gaza war. The war erupted after a deadly cross-border attack by two Iranian-backed militant groups, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, killed 1,200 people and kidnapped 250 in Israel on October 7.

Israel's offensive in Gaza has killed more than 33,700 Palestinians and caused widespread destruction, according to local health officials.

Throughout the war, Israel has traded fire across its northern border with Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah, while Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Yemen have also attacked Israel. The friction has kept fears of a potentially devastating all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah, or a broader direct conflict between Israel and Iran.

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World leaders urged Israel not to strike Iran.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said “all parties must exercise restraint” to avoid an escalating spiral of violence in the Middle East. French President Emmanuel Macron said Paris would try to “convince Israel that we should not respond by escalating.”

In Washington, John Kirby, a spokesman for the US National Security Council, declined to say on Monday whether the US was aware of or expected any Israeli response plans. “We're going to let the Israelis talk about it,” he said.

“We're not involved in their decision-making process about a potential response,” Kirby said.

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the U.S. would not call for escalation but would continue to support Israel's security. He pledged to step up diplomatic efforts against Iran.

“Strength and wisdom should be two sides of the same coin,” he said.

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