Cameron Urges Israel Not to Take Retaliatory Action Against Iran; Sanctions on the Islamic Republic to Increase

David Cameron, the UK Foreign Secretary, urged Israel not to take retaliatory action following the Islamic Republic's missile and drone attack, stating that Israel should think 'with both heart and head' as Tehran's attack was nearly a complete failure. The UK Foreign Secretary also mentioned that further sanctions against the Iranian government would be considered after the drone and missile attack on Israel. In response to whether the UK government would consider more sanctions against Iran, Cameron told the BBC, 'Yes, definitely. We currently have 400 sanctions against Iran. We implemented a completely new sanctions regime at the end of last year that is very effective.' He added, 'We have fully sanctioned the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and will continue to review further actions.' The Islamic Republic's attack with over 300 missiles and drones caused only minor damage, as most were intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system with assistance from the United States, the UK, France, and Jordan. This attack followed an airstrike attributed to Israel on a building near the Islamic Republic's embassy in Syria on April 1. Cameron stated in an interview with BBC that he believes Israel is justified in thinking they should respond because they have been attacked, but as friends, they urge them to think wisely while being tough. He asked Israel not to escalate tensions in the Middle East. The UK Foreign Secretary also told Sky News, 'In many ways, this [attack] was a double failure for Iran. The attack was nearly a complete failure, and they showed the world that they are ready to act with their malign influence in the region. Therefore, our hope is that no retaliatory action will be taken.' The Islamic Republic launched dozens of drones and missiles from within Iran towards Israel late Saturday; these attacks were claimed by Tehran to be in response to the April 1 attack on its consulate in Damascus, Syria, and continued until early Sunday. Benny Gantz, Israel's Minister of Defense, stated on Sunday, April 26, that the Iranian government would pay the price for attacking Israel at the right time and in the right way. Gantz noted the minimal damage caused by the hundreds of missiles and drones, stating that the Iranian government 'realized the power of Israel's security system.' He also announced that Israel must strengthen 'strategic unity and regional cooperation' to enable it to overcome Iran's attack. He said, 'Iran is a global problem, a regional challenge, and a danger to Israel, and yesterday the world clearly stood with Israel against this threat. The result is: Israel against Iran, the world against Iran. This is a strategic achievement that we must use for Israel's security.' The Israeli Foreign Ministry also issued a statement saying that the Islamic Republic must pay the cost of its aggression. According to the statement, the 'initial cost' of the Iranian government's attacks on Israel should include adding the Revolutionary Guard to the list of terrorist organizations and sanctioning the Islamic Republic, particularly its ballistic missile program. The statement emphasized Israel's right to defend itself against the Islamic Republic. The Islamic Republic's attack on Israel added to the problems of airlines in the Middle East. The Iranian government claims it warned before attacking Israel; the United States denies this claim. Reuters reported that global markets are awaiting Israel's response to the Iranian government's attacks. Security implications of the attack on Israel in Iran: the prosecutor's office has filed charges against the newspaper Etemad and Abbas Abdi. G7 leaders condemned the 'unprecedented' attacks by the Islamic Republic against Israel. The UN Secretary-General at an emergency Security Council meeting stated: 'Now is the time for de-escalation and maximum restraint.'