Middle East enters dangerous new phase with Iran's drone and missile attack on Israel

‘Crushing’

Still, some Israeli ministers called for an aggressive reaction. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said there should be a “crushing attack” on Iran, while Foreign Minister Israel Katz said the country will directly strike back at Iranian territory.

Israel’s military emphasized that Iran meant to cause plenty of harm.

“Iran meant to get results and didn’t get results,” Daniel Hagari, the IDF’s main spokesperson, said. “She wanted much more significant damage than what happened.”

Iran said there was a “new equation” between itself and Israel. It suggested it was prepared for a more direct role in the shadow war with Israel that’s usually fought via its proxy militias in the Middle East.

“From now on, if the Zionist regime attacks our interests, assets, people or citizens at any point, we will counter attack from the Islamic Republic of Iran,” an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander said on state television.

Biden will speak with Group of Seven leaders on Sunday “to coordinate a united diplomatic response,” according to a White House statement.

He spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reiterated Washington’s support for the country was “ironclad.” However, he said the U.S. wouldn’t support an Israeli counterattack against Iran, Axios reported, citing an unidentified White House official.

“The president’s been clear: We don’t want to see this escalate,” John Kirby, a spokesman for Biden, told NBC. “We’re not looking for a wider war with Iran.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned Iran’s attacks and said “all actors must now refrain from further escalation and work to restore stability in the region.”

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