Washington, DC [US], April 17 (ANI): White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has said that the US will impose new sanctions on Iran‘s missile and drone programmes and new sanctions against entities backing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran‘s Defence Ministry in the coming days. In a statement, Sullivan said, “Following Iran‘s unprecedented air attack against Israel, President Biden is coordinating with allies and partners, including the G7, and with bipartisan leaders in Congress, on a comprehensive response.”

“In the coming days, the United States will impose new sanctions targeting Iran, including its missile and drone program as well as new sanctions against entities supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran‘s Defence Ministry,” he added.

Jake Sullivan said that US also expects its allies and partners to impose sanctions against Iran. He said that the US continues to work to further strengthen and expand the successful integration of air and missile defence and early warning systems across the Middle East to further erode the effectiveness of Iran‘s missile and UAV capabilities. Sullivan said, “We anticipate that our allies and partners will soon be following with their own sanctions. In addition, we continue to work through the Department of Defense and U.S. Central Command to further strengthen and expand the successful integration of air and missile defence and early warning systems across the Middle East to further erode the effectiveness of Iran‘s missile and UAV capabilities.”

He noted that the new sanctions and other measures will continue a “steady drumbeat of pressure” to contain and degrade Iran‘s military capacity and effectiveness and confront the full range of its problematic behaviours. He recalled that the US, in the past three years, in addition to missile and drone-related sanctions, has imposed sanctions against more than 600 individuals and entities connected to terrorism.

Jake Sullivan said, “Over the last three years, in addition to missile and drone-related sanctions, the United States has sanctioned over 600 individuals and entities connected to terrorism, terrorist financing and other forms of illicit trade, horrific human rights abuses, and support for proxy terrorist groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Kataib Hezbollah. The pressure will continue.
“We will not hesitate to continue to take action, in coordination with allies and partners around the world, and with Congress, to hold the Iranian government accountable for its malicious and destabilising actions,” he added.

On April 14, US President Joe Biden met with the national security team for updates on Iran‘s attacks against Israel, calling its commitment to Israel‘s security against threats from proxies and Iran “ironclad.”
In the wake of Iranian drone strikes on Israel on Saturday, Biden held a meeting with his national security team. In a post on X, Biden stated, “I just met with my national security team for an update on Iran‘s attacks against Israel. Our commitment to Israel‘s security against threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad.”

Earlier on Saturday, Iran launched several drones and missiles towards Israel in retaliation for the alleged Israeli air strike on its consulate in Syria that resulted in the killing of Iran‘s three top generals, The Times of Israel reported. On Sunday morning, Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari also said that 99 per cent of the 300 or so projectiles fired by Iran at Israel overnight were intercepted by air defences. “The Iranian threat met the aerial and technological superiority of the IDF, combined with a strong fighting coalition, which together intercepted the vast majority of the threats,” Hagari said.

In addition, Hagari said that Iran fired 120 ballistic missiles at Israel. “As you can see now, the base is functioning and continues to perform its tasks. In the picture, you can see the runway at Nevatim,” he said, showing live footage from the airbase.” Lauding Israeli forces for intercepting Iranian missiles and drones, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Sunday that it was an “incredible military achievement” by Israel.

In his remarks at the NBC News ‘Meet The Press’, Kirby said that the action taken by Israel demonstrates an extraordinary example of military superiority. He stated that the action shows that Israel has friends. He said that the US will continue to help Israel defend itself.

Asked about the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) statement that 99 per cent of the missiles and drones were intercepted by Israeli and US forces, Kirby responded, “Where things stand this morning is just an incredible military achievement by Israel and quite frankly the United States and other partners that helped Israel defend itself against more than three hundred drones and missiles. I mean, it’s just an extraordinary example of military superiority that Israel demonstrated to the whole world last night.” “And I think Israel also demonstrated that it has friends, that it’s not standing alone. That it’s not isolated on the world stage. Now, whether and how the Israelis will respond? That’s going to be up to them. We understand and respect that. But, the President’s been very clear: we don’t seek a war with Iran. We’re not looking for escalation here. We will continue to help Israel defend itself,” he added. (ANI)

Biden says “US won’t participate in any offensive action against Iran”, tells Bibi further Israeli response “unnecessary”

Washington, DC [US], April 15 (ANI): Amid rising tensions in West Asia, US President Joe Biden made it clear to his counterparts that America will not get drawn into any offensive action against Iran after it launched a barrage of missiles against Israel on Saturday, CNN reported, citing US officials familiar with the matter. In the conversation between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Biden following the successful interception of Iranian drones and missiles by Israel’s advanced air defence system, Biden suggested that further Israeli response was unnecessary.

Over a phone call with the Israeli PM, Biden said he should consider Saturday a ‘win’ because Iran’s attacks had been largely unsuccessful and demonstrated Israel’s superior military capability, a senior administration official said. The US assessed that there was “no significant damage within Israel itself,” CNN reported, according to a senior US military official.

Earlier, Iran came out in defence of its retaliatory attack on Israel on Saturday in response to an attack on its consulate in Syria, saying that the “matter can be deemed concluded”. In a stern warning for Israel’s closest ally, Iran asked US to stay away from the ongoing conflict with Israel, adding that its response will be more severe if Israel made ‘another mistake’. “Conducted on the strength of Article 51 of the UN Charter pertaining to legitimate defense, Iran’s military action was in response to the Zionist regime’s aggression against our diplomatic premises in Damascus. The matter can be deemed concluded,” Iran’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York posted on X.”

However, should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe. It is a conflict between Iran and the rogue Israeli regime, from which the U.S. MUST STAY AWAY!,” it added.

Meanwhile, Israeli President, Isaac Herzog said his country was not seeking war with Iran after the latter’s attack, adding that “balance is needed in this situation,” CNN reported. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is speaking with many world leaders and there is “intimate dialogue with allies” in response to Iran’s actions, he said. “We’re considering it all. We’re acting cool-headedly and lucidly,” President Herzog said, adding, “I think we’re operating in a very focused way and very responsible way and I’m sure there will be a decision accordingly that will make sure that we protect and defend the people of Israel.”

Earlier, on Sunday, the national security spokesman at the White House, John Kirby, said the ability to prevent widespread damage was a demonstration of Israel’s ‘military superiority’ and proof that Iran was not the “military power that they claim to be.” “This was an incredible success, really proving Israel’s military superiority and, just as critically, their diplomatic superiority, that they have friends in the region, that they have around the world that are willing to help them,” Kirby told CNN.

Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin asked his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, to notify the US ahead of any potential response to the Iranian attack, according to another US official. “I spoke to Israeli Minister of Defence (Minister) Yoav Gallant today for a third time this weekend to review the successful combined operation by the United States, Israel, and their partners to defend Israel from unprecedented attacks launched from Iranian territory and by Iran’s proxies. While the United States does not seek escalation, we will continue to take all necessary action to defend Israel and U.S. personnel,” Austin posted from his official X handle.

Even as American officials stressed that the final decision on how to respond to Iran is up to Israel, Biden was seeking to prevent a wider escalation of the conflict. On Sunday, Biden met with his fellow Group of Seven leaders to discuss a ‘united diplomatic response’ with an emphasis on non-military actions that would limit the prospects of a wider war.

In a joint statement released after the virtual meeting, the G7 members condemned “in the strongest terms” Iran’s “direct and unprecedented attack” against Israel and expressed their “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 destabilisation of the region and risks provoking an uncontrollable regional escalation. This must be avoided,” the G7 said in its statement. (ANI)