EgyptDailyNews - Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant said on Thursday that “any direct Iranian attack” on his country’s territory would require an “appropriate” Israeli response against Tehran.
Gallant added, in a phone call with his American counterpart, Lloyd Austin, that Israel “will not tolerate any Iranian attack on its territory,” according to a statement issued by the Office of the Israeli Minister of Defense.
According to the statement, Gallant discussed with Austin “detailed preparations for the Iranian attack,” and the Israeli Defense Minister said that any Iranian attack on Israel “could lead to regional escalation.”
Gallant expressed his "appreciation for Austin's personal commitment to Israel's security and to deepening cooperation between the defense institutions of both countries, as well as between the Israeli army and the US Central Command."
This is the second discussion that takes place between Gallant and Austin within a week, according to the statement.
This comes a day after Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said that Israel "must be punished, and will be punished" following the attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus that killed 7 Iranian officials on April 1.
It is noteworthy that Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said, Thursday, during a press conference, that Israel “remains on high alert and fully prepared for a wide range of scenarios” for a possible attack from Iran.
He added that the Israeli army "maintains a continuous assessment of the situation and is ready in terms of offensive and defensive capabilities," and added that Israel is "ready in cooperation with our strategic partners."
He stated, "Any strike coming from Iranian territory will clearly demonstrate Iranian intentions to escalate the situation in the Middle East and stop hiding behind its agents."
