President of the European Commission: The Islamic Republic's Attack on Israel is a Sign of a New Authoritarian Alliance

Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, on Wednesday, April 29, referred to Russia and North Korea, stating that the Islamic Republic's attack on Israel is the latest sign of efforts by a 'new authoritarian alliance.' According to Reuters, speaking at a defense and security conference in Brussels, she added that this alliance aims to dismantle the international rules-based order and bring democracies to the brink of collapse. Von der Leyen's remarks referred to the Islamic Republic's missile and drone attacks on Israel, which occurred following threats from the leader and other officials of the Islamic Republic in response to the killing of several senior commanders and members of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Damascus. This attack, attributed to Israel, targeted the Islamic Republic's consulate in Damascus. However, Israel has not confirmed or denied responsibility for this attack. Although the attacks by the IRGC's drones and missiles, contrary to Iranian media claims of 'severe damage to the Noatim airbase,' did not cause casualties or damage to Israel, tensions in the region escalated, raising concerns about a broader regional war. Additionally, many countries around the world, including the United States, have condemned the Islamic Republic's missile attacks. The President of the European Commission also emphasized that as global threats intensify, the European Union must innovate and strengthen its defense-industrial capacity over the next five years. The Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army stated, 'Iran will face the consequences of its actions.' The U.S. expressed concern over a possible retaliatory attack by Israel and its consequences. Israel welcomed the EU's move to impose further sanctions against the IRGC and the Islamic Republic. Gallant stated that the Islamic Republic's attack failed; the skies of the Middle East are open to the Israeli Air Force. Reuters reported on Israel's options for a potential response to the Islamic Republic: airstrikes, cyber operations, covert operations, and diplomacy. NBC reported that Israel's response to the Islamic Republic's attack is likely 'imminent.'