Iran initiated an unprecedented assault on Israel, employing drones and missiles in a coordinated strike, as declared by the Israeli army late Saturday.
The resounding booms and air raid sirens echoing across Israel early Sunday marked the aftermath of Iran’s deployment of hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles, escalating tensions and pushing the Middle East closer to a widespread conflict.
This attack stands as Iran’s first direct military offensive against Israel, marking a significant escalation in their decades-long antagonism dating back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Israel’s military credited its Arrow system for most interceptions and acknowledged the involvement of “strategic partners.”
Additionally, IRNA, Iran’s state news agency, cited an unnamed official affirming the inclusion of ballistic missiles in the assault. Ballistic missiles follow an arched trajectory, ascending into space before descending at speeds several times faster than sound.
Israel boasts a sophisticated air-defense network comprising various systems capable of thwarting diverse threats, ranging from long-range missiles to drones and short-range rockets.
However, the scale of the attack involving numerous drones and missiles heightens the risk of penetrative strikes.
Iran’s Arcenal
Iran possesses an extensive arsenal of drones and missiles, showcased in online videos purportedly depicting delta-wing-style drones reminiscent of the Iranian Shahed-136s, historically employed by Russia in conflicts such as the war in Ukraine.
These drones, characterized by their slow-flight capabilities, are equipped with bombs. Ukraine, in confronting similar drones, has effectively utilized both surface-to-air missiles and ground fire.
In tandem with Iran’s assault, its proxies and allies conducted attacks on Israeli positions, coinciding with the blaring sirens in numerous areas, with reports of explosions heard above Jerusalem early Sunday.
The attack follows Iran’s repeated vows to retaliate against Israel for an April 1 airstrike targeting its consular annexe in Damascus.
Washington had issued repeated warnings in recent days regarding the impending reprisals.
“Iran’s military spokesman, Daniel Hagari, announced in a televised statement that UAVs were launched from Iranian territory towards Israel,” stated Rear Admiral Hagari, emphasizing cooperation with the United States and regional partners to counter these launches.
Confirming the retaliatory action, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards initiated a drone and missile strike against Israel in response to the Damascus airstrike, which claimed the lives of seven Guards, including two generals.
The Guards reported launching ballistic missiles approximately an hour after deploying slower-moving drones.
In Tehran‘s Palestine Square, hundreds of Iranians gathered, brandishing Iranian and Palestinian flags, to celebrate the unprecedented military operation against Israel.
An Israeli military official disclosed that Iran had launched over 200 attack drones and ballistic missiles towards Israel.
Additionally, Iran’s allies in the region, including Yemen’s Huthi rebels and Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement, participated in the attack, with reports of drone launches and rocket fire at Israeli positions in the Golan Heights.
While Iran’s IRNA news agency claimed significant damage to an air base in the Negev desert, the Israeli army stated that the impact was minimal.
The World On The Brink Of War
As the situation unfolded, the White House anticipated the attack, occurring amidst the six-month Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, to span several hours.
Meanwhile, the Iranian mission to the United Nations cautioned the United States against involvement in Iran’s conflict with Israel.
“It’s a conflict between Iran and the rogue Israeli regime, and the U.S. MUST STAY AWAY!” asserted the statement, emphasizing a stance against U.S. involvement.
However, it expressed hope that its retaliatory action to address the strike on its diplomatic mission would prevent further escalation, aiming for a resolution to the matter.
A Pentagon official confirmed that U.S. forces were engaging in intercepting drones directed towards Israel.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned Iran’s “reckless” behavior, affirming his government’s commitment to uphold Israel’s security.
The defense ministry announced the deployment of additional fighter jets to the region, ready to intercept any airborne threats.
France echoed its support for Israel’s security, denouncing Iran’s actions as a new level of destabilization.
Egypt, known for mediating between Israel and the Palestinians, stated its direct engagement with all parties involved in an effort to mitigate the situation.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Israel’s readiness for a potential “direct attack from Iran,” emphasizing preparedness in both defense and offense.
Earlier, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards had seized an Israeli-linked container vessel in the Gulf, heightening tensions in the region.
In response, Israel announced the nationwide closure of schools, while Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon temporarily shut their airspace. Israel also declared the closure of its own airspace starting from 2130 GMT.
The Israeli military cautioned Iran, indicating that it would face consequences if it chose to further escalate the situation.
Following the April 1 strike in Damascus, attributed to Israel and resulting in 16 casualties, including two Iranian generals, Iran had pledged retaliation without specifying the method.
According to Iranian state media, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards seized a container ship connected to Israel in the Strait of Hormuz, redirecting it towards Iranian waters.
The vessel, with 25 crew members onboard, is managed by the Italian-Swiss group MSC, which is coordinating with relevant authorities to ensure the safety of the crew.
Israel and the United States condemned the seizure as an act of piracy, with Israel additionally calling for the designation of the Guards as a “terrorist organization” by the European Union.
The Gaza conflict began with a significant attack by Palestinian militants Hamas against Israel on October 7, resulting in approximately 1,170 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli data.
In response, Israel launched an offensive, resulting in the deaths of at least 33,686 people in Gaza, predominantly women and children, as reported by the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.
On Saturday, Israel’s military announced strikes on over 30 Hamas targets across Gaza. In Deir al-Balah, fire blazed amidst the ruins of a demolished mosque. Witness Abdullah Baraka described Israel’s military demanding the evacuation of the area before it was “wiped out in minutes.”
Hamas disclosed its response to a Gaza truce proposal presented by US, Qatari, and Egyptian mediators during talks in Cairo. The militant group reiterated its demands for a “permanent ceasefire” and the “withdrawal of the occupation army from the entire Gaza Strip.”
