MOSCOW, April 14. /TASS/. Iran delivered a massive drone and missile strike on Israel in retaliation for the Jewish state’s attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.
So far, no damage or casualties were officially reported in Israel.
Below is a summary of what is known about the attack at this point.
Circumstances of the attack
- The Iranian military attacked the Israeli territory with drones and missiles on Saturday night. According to ABC estimates, between 400 and 500 drones and 150 missiles were sent by Iran to attack the Jewish state.
- The drones were launched from from Iran’s Kermanshah province and several other western regions, Al Arabiya reported. Moreover, there were reports of UAVs coming from Yemen and of Hezbollah missile attacks from the territory of Lebanon.
- Shahed autonomous pusher-prop drones were used for the attack on Israel, the Sky News Arabia television reported. The IRNA news agency said ballistic missiles were also fired.
- The ABC television channel reported that only Israeli military facilities will be viewed as potential targets.
- According to Al Arabiya, US and UK servicemen shot down around 100 Iranian drones. Besides, Jordanian air defense units shot down several targets above the kingdom’s capital Amman.
- The Iranian armed forces struck Israeli air base in the Negev desert with Kheybar ballistic missiles, the IRNA news agency reported. The agency said the airbase was used for the attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria and sustained serious damage during the Iranian strike. Meanwhile, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari told reporters that the base sustained "minimal damage."
- No deaths have so far been reported in Israel. Israeli doctors rendered medical assistance to 31 people after civil defense sirens sounded practically all over the country, the Magen David Adom (MDA) ambulance service said. Most of them complained about stress or minor wounds that they received on the way to safe zones.
Iran’s statements
- The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC, an elite force within the Iranian Armed Forces) said its drones and missiles struck military facilities on the territory of Israel in response to "numerous crimes," including the deadly attack on the Iranian consulate.
- Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wrote on the X social network that "the malicious Zionist regime will be punished."
- The Iranian foreign ministry said strikes on Israel were carried out in line with the UN Charter’s Article 51 on legitimate self-defense "in response to multiple acts of military aggression."
- The Iranian mission to the UN advised the United States to stay away from the Islamic Republic’s conflict with Israel.
- Iran’s Fars news agency said Iran was monitoring Jordan’s actions and may strike the kingdom’s territory if it "tries to intervene" into the Islamic Republic’s attack on Israel. ranian Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Ashtiani warned countries supporting Israel that the Islamic Republic will give a "decisive response" to any country that permits Israel access to its airspace or territory for a possible attack on Iran.
Israel’s actions
- Prior to the attack, late on April 13, the Israeli authorities announced that all educational activities were cancelled and gatherings of more than 1,000 people were banned.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said shortly before the attack that the Jewish state was ready for any developments and will strike anyone who attacks it.
- Israel requested an urgent UN Security Council session. It is scheduled for April 14.
Global reaction
- Western countries have declared their support for Israel. In particular, US President Joe Biden assured the Jewish state of Washington’s unwavering support after consultations with his national security team. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell also criticized the attack.
- UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack and called for immediate cessation of hostilities.
- US President Joe Biden held a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Russia’s reaction
- Russian First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Dmitry Polyansky said escalation of the conflict may trigger a new acute crisis in the Middle East.
Airspace closure
- Israel and Iraq closed their airspace. The attack prompted a number of air carriers to introduce changes into their flight schedule.
- Russia’s Federal Agency for Air Transport of the Russian Federation prohibited Russian air carriers from using the airspace of Israel, Jordan and Iraq and from performing flights to these countries.
Path to escalation
- On April 1, Syria’s SANA news agency reported that the Israeli Air Force attacked a building in Damascus. As a result of a strike, targeting the consular department of the Iranian embassy, several Iranian military officers were killed. Israel refrained from publicly commenting on the event.
- Tehran warned that Israel’s strike will not be left unanswered. On April 12, The Wall Street Journal reported that the retaliatory strike may occur within the next day or two.