Prime Minister Netanyahu insists on his own course in reactions against Iran. Baerbock urges prudence. The news ticker.
Update from April 18, 4:00 p.m.:
After Tehran's attack on Israel, the USA and Great Britain have imposed new sanctions against Iran. The US media reports this unanimously. Israel's government had called for a "diplomatic offensive" by its allies against Iran. A counterattack by Israel is currently being planned.
Update from April 18th, 1:45 p.m.:
EU Foreign Affairs Representative Josep Borrell warned of a war in the Middle East after Iran's attack on Israel. “The Middle East is on the brink of a regional war,” the diplomat said before the meeting with the G-7 foreign ministers, according to US broadcaster CNN. “We cannot escalate, we cannot respond step by step, step by step, until there is a regional conflict,” he warned, referring to the mutual attacks between Israel and Iran and constant threats. A war in the Middle East would cause “shock waves throughout the world, but especially in Europe,” he said. Therefore, European politicians must pressure Israel into a limited response to the major Iranian attack.
Iran sends message to USA: Tehran does not want “expansion of tensions in the region”
Update from April 18, 12:15 p.m.:
According to its foreign minister, Iran has assured the USA that it does not want to further aggravate the situation in the Middle East. Tehran has tried to “make it clear to Washington that we are not looking to escalate tensions in the region,” Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Thursday in a video released by his ministry upon his arrival in New York, on the occasion of a UN Security Council meeting.
After Iran attack on Israel: “To create understanding for action”
The exchange before and after the Iranian attack on Israel last weekend was aimed at “establishing a correct understanding of Iran’s actions,” explained Amir-Abdollahian. Accordingly, Tehran informed Washington before the attack that the decision to do so was “final”. The communication took place mainly through the Swiss embassy in Tehran, said Amir-Abdollahian. Since Washington does not have a diplomatic mission in Iran, the Swiss head of mission acts as the US representative in Tehran.
Putin
is portraying himself as a mediator in the
Middle East conflict
Update from April 18, 10:05 a.m.:
Apparently Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin wants to mediate between Israel and Iran amid the escalation in the Middle East. A source close to Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi told the Kuwaiti newspaper
Al-Jarida
. Putin is said to have made the offer in his telephone conversation with Raisi. The Iranian head of state, in turn, is said to have accepted this, but at the same time set conditions and made accusations.
Accordingly, he demanded that Putin convince Israel not to carry out a retaliatory attack against Iranian territory. Raisi is also said to have criticized Russia and accused Russia of allowing Israeli air strikes against Iranian targets on Syrian territory. The airspace in regime-controlled regions of Syria is largely under Russian control. Putin is said to have replied that the attacks in Syria were being allowed to prevent an even greater escalation in the Middle East.
Update from April 18, 7:35 a.m.:
According to media reports, Israel has considered a quick response to the Iranian attack last weekend. Israeli broadcaster
Kan
reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after speaking to US President Joe Biden, decided not to implement pre-approved plans for retaliation in the event of an attack.
Diplomacy played a role, a senior official who wished to remain anonymous told the broadcaster. “There will be an answer, but it will be different than what was originally planned.” The US news portal
Axios
and the Israeli news site
Walla News
reported, citing Israeli circles, that the war cabinet is considering it at a meeting on Monday (April 15). to give the green light for attacks, but without ordering them. It was the war cabinet's second meeting since the Iranian attack over the weekend.
According to the Axios report, Israel informed the United States on Monday of the decision to wait. Washington had called on its ally to exercise restraint. US broadcaster
ABC News
reported that the Israeli government had twice considered attacks against Iran but failed to implement them.
Israel's planned retaliation against Iran: Apparently only after Passover
Update from April 18, 6:35 a.m.:
It is now clear that Israel will launch a retaliatory strike against Iran. However, when this will take place is still unknown. Now a senior US official told
ABC News
that an Israeli attack against Iran before the end of Passover is unlikely. Passover commemorates the flight of the Israelites from Egypt around 3,000 years ago and runs from April 22nd to 30th.
The official also said that Iran's Revolutionary Guard remains on high alert. Many high-ranking members would be in sanctuaries or underground facilities. In addition to the timing of the attack, it is also unclear whether Israel will attack Iranian territory directly or just pro-Iranian militias in neighboring countries.
Israel
rejects
EU appeal for
peace
Update from April 18, 5:34 a.m
.: Israel has firmly rejected the European Union's (EU) call for peace and instead adopted an offensive stance. Ron Prosor, the Israeli ambassador to Germany, urged the EU to “change course” in its Iran policy. He emphasized to the
Rheinische Post
that Europe had to “show a clear edge” after the massive Iranian attack on his country. He added: “For example, by listing the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization. The Revolutionary Guard spreads terror and violence in the Middle East and beyond.”
Although the ambassador did not explicitly state how Israel would respond to the Iranian attack, he emphasized: “We will strike back so that no one ever thinks of attacking us again.”
EU threatens Iran with new sanctions – Israel wants to continue to “hit back”
This was in response to a call from Europe. The EU had called on Israel and Iran to refrain from further attacks on each other. A joint statement from all heads of state and government warned of a possible conflagration in the Middle East. Nevertheless, the EU reiterated its commitment to contributing to de-escalation in the region. At the same time, the EU announced further sanctions against Iran.
Middle East war: Iran attack casts doubt on Qatar's role as peace broker
Update from April 17, 8:50 p.m.:
Qatar's prime minister announced on Wednesday that he would "reassess" Qatar's role as a central mediator in talks about a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and a hostage release. Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said this at a press conference on Wednesday. The prime minister cited the reason that Qatar “suffered damage” in this role. He did not give any further details.
At the same press conference, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of exploiting regional tensions “to stay in power.”
Update from April 17th, 8:02 p.m.:
As the Israeli army announced, aid for the coastal area in the Gaza Strip has arrived via the port for the first time since the port of Ashdod in southern Israel was opened. The Israeli war cabinet decided at the beginning of April to open the Erez border crossing and temporarily the port of Ashdod to aid deliveries after the USA called for the expansion of humanitarian aid in view of the catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip.
Scholz appeals to Israel: No massive counterattack on Iran
Update from April 17th, 7:00 p.m.:
Before the EU summit in Brussels, Chancellor Olaf Scholz once again calls on Israel not to respond to the Iranian attacks with a massive counterattack. “It is important for us that this moment is used for further de-escalation in order to strengthen our own position,” says Scholz.
The 27 EU heads of state and government want to discuss a possible tightening of Iran sanctions in the evening.
Update from April 17th, 6:40 p.m.:
Before the EU summit in Brussels, French President Emmanuel Macron is in favor of sanctions against Iranian manufacturers of drones and missiles.
Update from April 17th, 6:15 p.m.:
According to Lebanese media reports, there was an Israeli air strike in the northeastern Lebanese district of Baalbek. The area was previously considered a Hezbollah stronghold and is around 100 kilometers from the Israeli border. The attack deep in Lebanon comes after a Hezbollah drone strike today that injured 14 soldiers and four civilians.
Update from April 17, 5:20 p.m.: According to information from the
AFP
news agency, the UN Security Council will vote
on Thursday on the Palestinians' application for full membership in the United Nations. The US, Israel's closest ally, has spoken out against the initiative. Washington can veto such a recommendation. The project is considered unpromising. The Palestinians have had observer status at the United Nations since 2012 and have been calling for full membership for years.
Baerbock calls for “smart restraint” from Israel in the conflict with Iran
Update from April 17th, 5:00 p.m.:
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has called on Israel to act prudently and responsibly in the conflict with Iran. “I'm not talking about giving in here. “I’m talking about wise restraint, which is nothing less than strength,” Baerbock said at Tel Aviv airport after her meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The EU has already imposed far-reaching sanctions on Iran. The country's dangerous actions would be followed by further consequences, said Baerbock. In addition, the successful defense against Iranian air attacks has already shown “how much Tehran has miscalculated”. The country is completely isolated in the region.
Netanyahu
after meeting with
Baerbock
: Israel will “make decisions itself”
Update from April 17th, 3:55 p.m.:
After the meeting with the foreign ministers from Germany and Great Britain, Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized Israel's independence. “I thank our friends for their support in defending Israel, in words and in deeds,” he said after talks with Annalena Baerbock and James Cameron. The two had made “all sorts of suggestions and advice,” but Netanyahu made it clear: “I appreciate that, but I want to make it clear that we will make our own decisions.”
In response to the attacks from Iran, the country will do everything “to defend itself,” said Netanyahu. Israel had already announced military countermeasures to the attacks. Partner states, including Germany, had previously called for measured reactions.
Cameron confirms
Israel's
plans for an
Israeli military
response
Update from April 17th, 1:45 p.m.:
James Cameron has called on the G7 countries to impose “coordinated sanctions” against Iran. The British Foreign Minister made the announcement before a meeting in Italy, as the
AFP
reported. “What we want is coordinated sanctions against Iran,” said Cameron. Tehran is behind “many malicious activities in this region”.
The sanctions are intended to send an “unmistakable message” to Iran over its support of radical Islamic groups such as Hamas, the Hezbollah militia and the Houthi rebels.
Update from April 17th, 1:05 p.m.:
British Foreign Minister James Cameron has confirmed that Israel will take revenge on Iran for the massive drone and missile attack. This was reported by the
Reuters
news agency . The government has made a “clear” decision to do so, he said during a visit to Jerusalem. Together with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, he is trying to prevent a major conflict between the two countries.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization – Katz makes demands
Update from April 17, 12:45 p.m.:
At the meeting with his German and British counterparts, Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz called on the two countries to classify Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization. This was reported by the
Times of Israel
. “Iran and its proxies threaten regional and global stability,” Katz said at the meeting. “Now we have the opportunity to contain Iran.” He is also calling for sanctions against the Iranian missile project.
Cameron calls for a measured response from Israel to attacks by Iran
Update from April 17, 11:30 a.m.:
James Cameron, the British Foreign Minister, called for a measured response to Iran's attacks during his visit to Israel, the
dpa
reported . He hopes that Israel makes decisions in a way “that leads to as little escalation as possible.”
But more important than a reaction to Iran's attack is the release of the remaining hostages from Hamas' violence, humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip and a ceasefire. Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had also previously emphasized the necessity of these points.
Update from April 17th, 10:40 a.m.:
Israeli Prime Minister Yitzchak Herzog thanked Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and her British counterpart James Cameron on X (formerly Twitter). He appreciated the discussion with the two diplomats and appreciated the clear stance taken by Germany and Great Britain after the attack on Israel from Iran. “The entire world must act decisively and defiantly against the threat posed by the Iranian regime,” Herzog continued.
Israel is “unambiguously” committed to defending its people and is demanding the immediate return of the Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas. The country also wants to further advance and “dramatically improve” humanitarian aid for the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.
First report:
Jerusalem – Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) traveled to Israel for diplomatic talks. As the Foreign Office announced, the main aim is to prevent a “wildfire” after the attacks from Iran. On her seventh trip to Israel, Baerbock wants to meet with her counterpart Israel Katz and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Foreign Minister has been “on permanent diplomatic mission” since the weekend, the Foreign Office said. There will be close consultation with the Israeli government, as well as various partners in the EU, the G7 states and NATO. In addition to the German Foreign Minister, her British counterpart David Cameron also traveled to Israel for talks.
Baerbock
wants to prevent a “spiral of violence”
in
Israel
In addition to the current threat from Iran, the situation of the people in the Gaza Strip should also play a role at the diplomatic meeting. Baerbock has often emphasized the need for increased humanitarian aid for civilians in the war zone. During her last visit to Israel, Baerbock had already called for the stalling aid deliveries to Gaza to be boosted.
Even during her current visit, the Green politician does not want to let the “catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza” take a back seat, writes the Foreign Office.
“We finally have to be released” – Baerbock also wants to talk about Israeli hostages during his visit to Israel
In addition to increasing aid deliveries, the focus is also on the situation of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas. “Hamas is still holding Israeli women, men and children hostage in its tunnels – for more than six months,” it says on the Foreign Office website. “They must finally be released, that is also what the talks will be about.”
Germany is committed to a humanitarian ceasefire in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. There can only be sustainable peace if it is good for everyone. That's why we're pushing for a two-state solution.
War
in
the Gaza Strip
: The events so far
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is traveling to Israel for talks.
The US repelled more than 75 missiles and drones from Iran.
After attacks from Iran, Israel threatens “unprecedented violence”.