Amid ongoing tensions, Israel’s envoy Naor Gilon said, “We expect India to stop Iran.”

New Delhi: On Monday, April 15, Israel’s ambassador to India, Naor Gilon, requested that New Delhi take a proactive step to restrain Iran’s assault amidst the existing tensions in West Asia. Gilon referred to India as a friend and said that Israel anticipates New Delhi would take a proactive stance in containing Iran.

As friends, we anticipate that India will lead a powerful international coalition to ensure that Iran ceases its destabilising actions in West Asia. Given that millions of Indians are employed in West Asia, the area is crucial to India as well. India, in my opinion, will actively participate in the international community’s efforts to halt Iran. Iran cannot go on in this manner, said Naor Gilon, Israel’s ambassador to India.

Iran carried out an extraordinary retaliation strike on Sunday, firing hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles, bringing West Asia one step closer to a regional conflict. More than 300 launches were made, but 99 percent of them were intercepted, according to a military spokeswoman.

The Iranian attack was the first direct military assault on Israel in decades, despite decades of animosity stemming from the country’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. It came less than two weeks after a suspected Israeli strike in Syria that killed two Iranian generals in an Iranian consular building.

Unbearable: Gilon on Iran’s Attack
Gilon had previously claimed that Iran was the Hamas group’s trainer and financier, accusing them of carrying out a heinous assault on Israel in October of last year. Regarding Iran’s strike on Sunday, Gilon said that Tehran has just transitioned from a proxy war to a direct offensive. Iran is Hamas’s financier and trainer. Yesterday, Iran changed the nature of the conflict from one of proxies to one of direct assault on Israel. A total of 331 types of rockets and cruise missiles were launched. We were able to intercept 99 percent of the incoming missiles, largely because to the Israeli air force and defence forces, with assistance from some friends in the area. Sadly, there was just one casualty, Gilon said.

Israel does not seek any regional escalation, Gilon said, adding that it must retaliate if attacked. “We only respond when others attack us; we do not want a regional escalation, but at the same time, we cannot tolerate perfect situations…Iran attacked; thus, they will eventually face our retaliation, Gilon said.

India’s Position on the Attack on Israel on October 7
When Hamas launched their assault on October 7, India was among the first nations to denounce it, with Prime Minister Modi supporting Israel. “I am very horrified to learn about the terrorist atrocities in Israel. Our hearts and prayers are with the families of the innocent victims. The Indian Prime Minister said, “We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour,” in response to Hamas’ assault on Israel.

Gilon then said that India’s help is appreciated by Israel. “First and foremost, because India is a very significant nation in the globe. Second, India is a nation that has firsthand experience with terrorism. Thus, it originates from a place of knowing rather than ignorance. And we really appreciate that. Israel’s ambassador to India said, “And again, we only need moral and political support; we know how to do the work on the ground, but we need to be able to execute the plan in order to ensure that Hamas will not threaten anyone else again.”