CNN —
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz sparked controversy by suggesting that the UK and France should join Israel in attacking Iran if necessary, not just defensively. This statement came during a discussion about regional de-escalation and prisoner exchanges in Jerusalem.
However, both France and the UK distanced themselves from this idea, advocating for peace and diplomacy instead of retaliatory violence. The tension stems from fears of retaliation after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, with Iran blaming Israel for the attack.
While the US urged Iran to avoid conflict, stating that there is a potential path to ceasefire, Israel emphasized readiness for any contingency. The situation remains tense, with discussions ongoing but no concrete plans for a coalition attack on Iran.
CNN’s Samantha Waldenberg and Alex Marquardt contributed to this report.