Netanyahu: Israel 'Exacting Heavy Price from Terror-supporting Regimes'

Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a special session of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, to approve and swear in a new right-wing government, in Jerusalem December 29, 2022. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/Pool
Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a special session of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, to approve and swear in a new right-wing government, in Jerusalem December 29, 2022. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/Pool
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Netanyahu: Israel 'Exacting Heavy Price from Terror-supporting Regimes'

Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a special session of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, to approve and swear in a new right-wing government, in Jerusalem December 29, 2022. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/Pool
Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a special session of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, to approve and swear in a new right-wing government, in Jerusalem December 29, 2022. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/Pool

Israel is "exacting a heavy price from terrorist-supporting regimes" outside of its borders, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet in televised remarks on Sunday, without elaborating.

The remark followed what Syria described as an Israeli military strike in Homs province and which, according to Western intelligence sources, hit air bases hosting Iranian personnel.

Israel has for years carried out attacks against what it has described as Iran-linked targets in Syria, where Tehran's influence has grown since it began supporting President Bashar al-Assad in the conflict that began in 2011 following a brutal crackdown of peaceful demonstrators.

Israel has intensified strikes in the last year on Syrian airports and air bases to disrupt what it says is Iran's use of aerial supply lines to deliver arms to militias.

Western intelligence sources have said Iran is increasingly using several civilian airports to deliver more arms, taking advantage of heavy air traffic as cargo planes offload relief aid following February's deadly earthquake.



China's Xi Calls for De-Escalation Between Israel and Iran ‘as Soon as Possible’ 

This handout picture made available by Kazakhstan's Presidential Press Office shows Chinese President Xi Jinping during the "Central Asia – China" summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, 17 June 2025. (EPA/ Kazakhstan’s Presidential Press Office Handout) 
This handout picture made available by Kazakhstan's Presidential Press Office shows Chinese President Xi Jinping during the "Central Asia – China" summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, 17 June 2025. (EPA/ Kazakhstan’s Presidential Press Office Handout) 
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China's Xi Calls for De-Escalation Between Israel and Iran ‘as Soon as Possible’ 

This handout picture made available by Kazakhstan's Presidential Press Office shows Chinese President Xi Jinping during the "Central Asia – China" summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, 17 June 2025. (EPA/ Kazakhstan’s Presidential Press Office Handout) 
This handout picture made available by Kazakhstan's Presidential Press Office shows Chinese President Xi Jinping during the "Central Asia – China" summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, 17 June 2025. (EPA/ Kazakhstan’s Presidential Press Office Handout) 

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for the de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East “as soon as possible” and said China is “deeply worried as Israel’s military operation against Iran has caused a sudden escalation of tensions in the Middle East.”

Xi, on a visit to the Kazakh capital Astana late Tuesday, added that China “opposes any actions that infringe upon sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of other countries.”

He added that “China is ready to work with all parties to play a constructive role in restoring peace and stability in the Middle East.”

China has already called on all its nationals to leave Iran, with whom it has long maintained close trade and political ties.