Israeli Defense Minister Says Direct Iranian Attack Would Require Appropriate Response

 An Israeli tank maneuvers next to the Israel-Gaza border, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as seen from Israel, April 10, 2024. (Reuters)
An Israeli tank maneuvers next to the Israel-Gaza border, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as seen from Israel, April 10, 2024. (Reuters)
TT

Israeli Defense Minister Says Direct Iranian Attack Would Require Appropriate Response

 An Israeli tank maneuvers next to the Israel-Gaza border, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as seen from Israel, April 10, 2024. (Reuters)
An Israeli tank maneuvers next to the Israel-Gaza border, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as seen from Israel, April 10, 2024. (Reuters)

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Thursday that Israel would respond directly to any attack by Iran.

“A direct Iranian attack will require an appropriate Israeli response against Iran," Gallant told US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, according to remarks issued by his office.

The Pentagon said the two discussed the United States' "iron-clad" commitment to Israel's security against threats from Iran and its proxies.

"Echoing President Biden's unequivocal message to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Secretary Austin assured Minister Gallant that Israel could count on full US support to defend Israel against Iranian attacks, which Tehran has publicly threatened," the Pentagon said.

It added that a visit by the top US general for the Middle East, Army General Michael "Erik" Kurilla, to Israel had been moved up so he could meet with Israeli military leadership and discuss "current security threats." Kurilla has been travelling to Israel regularly in recent months.



Russian Air Defenses Destroy Ukrainian Drone Headed for Moscow, Mayor Says

 A view of Kremlin tower with backdrops of the Moscow City business center, during a stormy weather in Moscow, Russia July 14, 2025. (Reuters)
A view of Kremlin tower with backdrops of the Moscow City business center, during a stormy weather in Moscow, Russia July 14, 2025. (Reuters)
TT

Russian Air Defenses Destroy Ukrainian Drone Headed for Moscow, Mayor Says

 A view of Kremlin tower with backdrops of the Moscow City business center, during a stormy weather in Moscow, Russia July 14, 2025. (Reuters)
A view of Kremlin tower with backdrops of the Moscow City business center, during a stormy weather in Moscow, Russia July 14, 2025. (Reuters)

Russian air defenses destroyed a Ukrainian drone headed for Moscow late on Thursday, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said.

Sobyanin, writing on the Telegram messaging app, made no mention of casualties or damage, but said specialists were examining the area where drone fragments fell to the ground. Sobyanin said on Wednesday three drones had been intercepted.

The federal aviation agency, Rosaviatsia, briefly ordered the suspension of operations at two airports near the capital, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky, but operations were later resumed.

Russia's Defense Ministry said air defense units had destroyed 46 Ukrainian drones over a period extending four hours in the evening, including the single drone over the Moscow region.

Most of the others were downed in areas near Ukraine, including 31 over Bryansk region and 10 over Crimea, a region annexed by Russia since 2014.