British foreign secretary David Cameron on Wednesday pushed for the G7 to introduce new "coordinated sanctions" against Iran following its weekend assault on Israel.
Cameron's appeal came ahead of his meeting with foreign ministers from the Western-led group in Italy.
On Tuesday, the United States announced it would soon implement fresh sanctions targeting Iran's missile and drone programs due to the weekend incidents, expecting its allies to adopt similar measures.
"What we want to see are coordinated sanctions against Iran," Cameron said during a media briefing in Israel, attributing a significant amount of regional instability to Tehran.
"I think there's more that we can do to show a united front," he said, ahead of the upcoming G7 foreign ministers' meeting in Capri.
Cameron said that Iran should receive a "clear, unequivocal message" regarding its support for groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and Yemen's Houthi rebels.
"I hope that will happen at the meeting," he added.
In retaliation for a fatal attack on its consulate in Damascus, Iran launched over 300 missiles, drones, and rockets at Israel on Saturday (April 13). The Israeli defence systems intercepted nearly all of these, causing minimal damage.
During his Wednesday visit to Israel, which alligned with German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock’s trip, Cameron held discussions with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, president Isaac Herzog and planned meetings with other key figures including foreign minister Israel Katz, and Palestinian Authority prime minister Mohammad Mustafa.
Netanyahu told the visiting British and German foreign ministers that Israel "will reserve the right to protect itself," his office said.
Discussing the potential for broader regional conflict, Cameron expressed serious concern.
"It's right to show solidarity with Israel. It's right to have made our views clear about what should happen next, but it's clear the Israelis are making a decision to act," he told UK broadcasters.
"We hope they do so in a way that does as little to escalate this as possible, and in a way that, as I said yesterday, is smart as well as tough," he said.
(AFP)
Dharavi slum in Mumbai
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)