Yoav Gallant: Israel Ready to Respond if Iran Strikes

Tel Aviv: Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has pledged an “appropriate response” in the event of an Iranian attack on Israeli territory.

In a recent phone conversation with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Gallant emphasized Israel’s stance, stating that any direct Iranian assault on Israeli soil would warrant a fitting Israeli retaliation against Iran. Gallant also provided insights into Israeli preparations and reiterated Israel’s firm stance against tolerating any such attack.

This conversation marked the second interaction between the two officials within the past week.

In light of intelligence assessments indicating a possible Iranian retaliatory strike following the killing of seven Iranians in an Israeli airstrike on Iran’s consulate in Syria on April 1, the urgency for coordinated responses was underscored.

On a related note, US Central Command Commander Michael Kurilla’s visit to Israel for discussions with Gallant and Herzi Halevi, Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, aimed at aligning strategies in anticipation of potential Iranian aggression.