19:55 (IST), Apr 15

Israel Iran War Live Updates: Italy open to new G7 sanctions on Israel’s enemies, says international minister

Italy, which holds the rotating presidency of the Group of Seven main democracies (G7), is open to new sanctions in opposition to people engaged in opposition to Israel following the weekend Iranian drone and missile assault, its international minister mentioned on Monday.

Iran launched explosive drones and fired missiles at Israel late on Saturday in retaliation for an assault on its embassy compound in Damascus, fuelling fears of a wider regional battle bursting out of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani mentioned recent sanctions would wish the backing of all of the G7, which incorporates Italy, France, Germany, Canada, Japan, Britain and the United States. He additionally urged that any new measures can be centered on people slightly than entire nations.

“If we need to have more sanctions for people clearly engaged against Israel, supporting for example terrorism, supporting Hamas, it is possible to do it. But we need to be very serious and to work all together,” Tajani informed Reuters.

Tajani known as the Iranian assault a “big mistake” for Tehran however “positive” for Israel because it had revealed the effectivity of its air defences that shot down many of the drones and missiles with assist from the US, Britain, France and Jordan.

The G7 on Sunday condemned the assault and urged Tehran to train restraint, with the United States warning Israel that it could not participate in a counteroffensive.

“The message coming from Tehran on this, (is) going in the right direction. This is only one attack. Also the reaction of the Israeli government has been positive,” mentioned Tajani, talking in English. (Reuters)