Defense Minister Bill Blair said Israel has the right to defend itself in a “coordinated and proportionate manner” following Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israel on Tuesday.
“I think[retaliation]needs to be carefully considered, because that is not the purpose of an Israeli military response, but rather to weaken Iran’s ability to continue attacking,” Blair told CTV Power Play host. said in an interview with Vassy Kapelos. Thursday.
Regarding the scope of retaliation, Blair said Israel had the right to “drop missiles from the sky” and “target the source of the missile”.
But when Mr Kapelos asked whether those targets would also include Iran’s oil infrastructure and nuclear facilities, Blair replied: “No.”
“Frankly, we do not support or support retaliation against other targets,” Prime Minister Blair said. “Only targets deemed necessary to protect Israel from further attacks.”
On Thursday, U.S. President Joe Biden told reporters that he was consulting with Israel about a possible Israeli attack on Iranian oil facilities.
“We’re talking about it. I think it’s a little one way or another,” Biden said.
Tensions between Israel and the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah have been steadily rising since war broke out between Israel and Hamas, also backed by Iran, nearly a year ago.
Iran’s missile attack on Israel on Tuesday was in retaliation for the recent killings of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders.
The recent attacks have raised concerns of a broader regional war in the Middle East.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly reiterated Canada’s call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah to reporters in Paris on Thursday on the sidelines of the Francophonie summit.
“It’s absolutely necessary to avoid all-out war. That’s why we need a ceasefire,” Jolie said.
Jolie said she also spoke to her Israeli counterpart on Thursday and conveyed the same message.
The full interview with Defense Minister Bill Blair is available at the top of this article.