Israel Proposes International Coalition Against Iran

Latest Developments

Israel on April 14 proposed a formal alliance with regional and Western partners against Iran. Israel’s success in repelling hundreds of Iran-launched suicide drones and missiles overnight stemmed in part from the assistance of neighboring Jordan, the air forces of the United States, Britain, and France, and the orchestration of U.S. Central Command.

“Last night, Israel experienced one of the most dramatic nights we have ever experienced,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated during an inspection of an air defense battery. He added, “We have an opportunity here to establish a strategic alliance against this serious threat from Iran, which threatens to put nuclear explosives on the heads of these missiles.”

Gallant’s remarks were echoed by war cabinet minister Benny Gantz, a former defense minister and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief of staff who helped lay the foundations for a regional missile defense architecture with key Arab nations. “We will build a regional coalition and exact the price from Iran in the fashion and timing that is right for us,” said Gantz. Meanwhile, current IDF chief of staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi, speaking to CENTCOM chief Gen. Michael Kurilla, described the Israeli-U.S. military partnership as having “resulted in the creation of a strong defense coalition that proved itself last night.”

Expert Analysis

“With the dust barely settled on the unprecedented Iranian assault against Israel, pearls already are being clutched in the Middle East and parts of the West at the prospect of Jerusalem ordering a much-deserved retaliation. Perhaps it is time for friendly foreign powers to commit to a crushing preemptive attack on Iran’s nuclear weapons program as well as giving Israel all the support it needs to destroy Tehran’s terror armies. If not, they should step aside and let Israel do what is necessary.” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO

“Israel has a real opportunity now to lay the foundation for a new and improved international consensus against the Islamic Republic. That consensus begins with holding Tehran to account for launching an unprecedented and escalatory strike that, if unchecked, will normalize more direct Iranian military action against any actor in the future. While air and missile defenses rose to the challenge last night, the Iranian missile and drone threat is far from over.” — Behnam Ben Taleblu, FDD Senior Fellow

“Iran Attacks Israel with Drone And Missile Barrage,” FDD Flash Brief

“Iran’s Terror-Enabling Supreme Leader Only Opens the Door for Israel to Hit Back Hard,” by Mark Dubowitz and Behnam Ben Taleblu

“The Gulf’s New Regional Vision Makes Room for Israel,” by Eyal Hulata and Natalie Ecanow

“Iran Seizes Israel-Linked Ship,” FDD Flash Brief