West Asia is in news, as ever. This time Iran and Israel are in the battlefield. Iran's attack on Israel early Sunday came in response to what it is discussed was an Israeli strike on Iran's Consulate in Syria on April 1. Israel’s military chief asserted that his country would respond to the Iranian attack, while world leaders caution against retaliation trying to avoid a spiral of violence. Even, Pope Francis, while speaking to pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square, said, Iran’s drone missile attack on Israel has given him pain and he is concerned. He urged both Iran and Israel to avoid steps that could feed a spiral violence that risked plunging the West Asia deeper into conflict. He also added that, “No one should threaten the existence of others. All nations should stand, instead, for peace, and help Israelies and Palestianians to live in two States, side by side, in safety.” He called for ceasefire in Gaza and negotiations to allow humanitarian aid to be provided for its people and to help free Israeli hostages seized by Hamas in its October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. Enough war, enough attack, enough violence. Yes to dialogue, yes to peace.
As situation unfolds, on April 18, 2024, the US and UK imposed a new round of sanctions on Iran as concern grows that Tehran’s unprecedented attack on Israel could fuel a wider war in West Asia. Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control targeted 16 people and two entities in Iran that produce engines that power the drones used in April 14 attack. The UK is targeting several Iranian military organizations, individuals and entities involved in Iran’s drone and ballistic missile industries. European Union leaders have also vowed to ramp up sanctions as Iran is targeting its drone and missile deliveries to proxies in Gaza, Yemen and Lebanon. EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrel, is in favour of strengthening and expanding further sanctions to punish Iran. At the same time, he also expressed his views in no uncertain terms saying that Israel needs to exercise restraint.
“I don’t want to exaggerate, but we are on the edge of a war, a regional war in the Middle East, which will be sending shockwaves to the rest of the world, and in particular to Europe. So, stop it,” he warned.
As on date, Iran has fired air defence batteries to shoot down three drones over Isfahan, as regional tensions rise. Anonymous US officials have told US media that Israel launched an attack against a site in Iran, but Israel army has yet to comment. Foreign Ministers from Group Seven major democracies called on Israel and Iran to de- escalate hostilities in West Asia following Israel’s retaliatory strikes in Central Iran earlier today, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told.
