The war in the Middle East is apparently taking on a new component. According to media reports, Iran has begun its attack on Israel - the news ticker.
Update on April 14, at 3:00 a.m.:
The Saudi Foreign Ministry expressed concern about the "recent military escalations" in the region and their "potentially serious impact" following Iranian drone and missile attacks targeting Israel, it said in a statement
Foreign Ministry statement published
on
X on Sunday.
Iran attack on Israel: Warning of potentially serious “impact”
"The ministry reiterates the Kingdom's position, which emphasizes the need for the (UN) Security Council to assume responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, especially in this highly sensitive region for global peace and security," it said Saudi ministry continued. The ministry stressed the importance of preventing “any further aggravation” of the crisis and warned of “terrible consequences” if the situation worsens.
Iran's attack against Israel: Homeland Security gives the all-clear for now
Update on April 14th, at 2:50 a.m.:
Israeli homeland security has given the all-clear for the time being after Iran's major attack on Israel. Residents in the north and south of the country no longer have to stay near shelters, according to a message on the Homeland Security website.
Major Iran attack on Israel: “Majority of missiles intercepted outside borders”
Update on April 14, at 2:45 a.m.:
According to the Israeli military, Iran used around 200 drones and missiles in its major attack on Israel. These include dozens of surface-to-surface missiles, said army spokesman Daniel Hagari on Sunday night. “The vast majority of rockets were intercepted by our missile defense outside Israel’s borders,” Hagari said. Only a small number of rockets hit Israeli territory. A girl was injured. According to Hagari, a military base in the south of the country was also hit and slightly damaged.
Israeli warplanes intercepted more than ten Iranian cruise missiles outside Israeli territory, the military spokesman said. Dozens of unmanned aerial vehicles were also stopped outside Israel. “The event is not over yet,” Hagari said. Drones are still being intercepted and missile attacks are still possible. Dozens of planes are still in the air. The army is doing everything necessary to protect the citizens of Israel.
Attack on Israel: Air defenses activated in Syria to intercept Israeli missiles and jets
Update on April 14, at 2:43 a.m.:
According to human rights activists, air defenses in Syria have been activated after Iran's attack on Israel. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights based in London said government troops' air defense tried to intercept Israeli missiles and aircraft. However, there has currently been no direct Israeli attack on targets in Syria. Instead, Israel wanted to shoot down Iranian missiles over Syria. Air defenses have been activated in several parts of the country, including in the capital Damascus, in Homs and on the Syrian Mediterranean coast.
On April 1, two brigadier generals were killed in a suspected Israeli airstrike on the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus. Iran described its attack on Israel on Sunday night as an appropriate response to this attack in Syria.
Attack on Israel
Update on April 14th, at 2:36 a.m.:
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz also “strongly” condemned the serious Iranian air strikes on Israel. “With this irresponsible and unjustifiable attack, Iran is risking a regional conflagration,” said government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit on Sunday after the Chancellor’s arrival in the economic metropolis of Chongqing, where the SPD politician is beginning his three-day visit to China. “In these difficult times, Germany stands closely at Israel’s side. We will now discuss further reactions closely with our G7 partners and allies.”
Scholz found out about the attacks on the almost ten-hour flight halfway between Berlin and Chongqing. Those close to him said that he was constantly informed about developments in the Middle East on the plane. The delegation was in close contact with the German security authorities.
Update on April 14th, at 1:49 a.m.:
According to media reports, a “significant reaction” from Israel is to be expected after Iran’s major attack on Israel. This was reported by Israeli television and the
Haaretz
newspaper on Sunday night. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is apparently consulting with his inner circle of ministers about how to proceed after Iran's massive drone and missile attacks on Israel.
Attack on Israel: US continues to shoot down Iranian drones
Update April 14, 1:41 a.m.:
The US continues to shoot down "Iranian drones aimed at Israel," a US defense official said on Sunday, according to
CNN
, regarding the current situation as a result of Iran's large-scale attack on Israel.
“Consistent with our ironclad commitment to Israel’s security, U.S. forces in the region continue to shoot down Iranian drones targeting Israel,” the official continued. “Our forces remain ready to provide additional defense support and protect U.S. forces operating in the region.”
US forces have intercepted Iranian drones aimed at Israel, according to media reports. The US broadcasters
ABC News,
the
Wall Street Journal
and the
Washington Post
reported on Saturday, citing government officials familiar with the matter, that the US military in the region had shot down Iranian drones that had flown towards Israel. The Department of Defense in Washington said they were aware of the reports but initially did not want to comment on them.
The
New York Times
quoted a Defense Department official as saying, "Consistent with our ironclad commitment to Israel's security, U.S. forces in the region continue to shoot down Iranian drones aimed at Israel."
Iran's attack on Israel: Britain sends more fighter jets
Update on April 14, at 1:37 a.m.:
Britain is sending more fighter jets to the region in response to Iran's attack on Israel. The jets and refueling aircraft would reinforce the forces already deployed in the area against the terrorist organization Islamic State, British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said on Sunday night in the wake of the large-scale Iranian attack on Israel.
“These jets will, if necessary, intercept any air attacks within the range of our existing missions.” Britain operates an air base in Cyprus.
Attack on Israel: Iran urgently warns the US to “decisively respond”.
Update on April 14th, at 1:37 a.m.:
After the massive retaliatory attack against Israel, Iran's Revolutionary Guards issued a sharp warning to the USA. "Any support and involvement in harming Iran's interests" will result in a "decisive response from the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran," said a statement from the Revolutionary Guard read out on state television on Sunday night.
The Revolutionary Guards attacked, successfully hit and destroyed “important military targets of the Zionist terrorist army in the occupied territories” with drones and missiles, the statement on Iran's major attack against Israel continued.
Attack on Israel: Iran's retaliatory strike causes the first casualty
Update on April 14th, at 1:30 a.m.:
According to the Magen David Adom rescue service, a ten-year-old boy was seriously injured in Iran's major attack on Israel. It was a Bedouin from the area around the city of Arad in the Negev Desert, the rescue service said on Sunday night about the current situation in the course of Iran's missile and drone attack on Israel. The rescue service initially reported that there were no injuries in the Iranian attacks.
Iran had launched hundreds of drones and missiles against its arch-enemy. There were alarms in large parts of Israel and also in the West Bank. Residents reported numerous explosions. According to media reports, many missiles were intercepted by Israel's missile defense.
Attack on Israel: Baerbock condemns Iran’s attacks “in the strongest possible terms”
Update on April 14, at 1:20 a.m.:
Iran's attack on Israel revives fears that the war in Israel could further escalate and expand the war in the Middle East. In any case, the reactions from all over the world to the Iranian missile and drone attacks on Israel were clear. Among other things, the federal government expressed itself clearly and condemned the attacks and called on Iran's political leadership in Tehran to stop the attacks immediately.
“We strongly condemn the ongoing attack, which can plunge an entire region into chaos,” wrote Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on the online platform
X
(
formerly Twitter
) on Sunday night. Iran and its allied forces must “immediately stop” the attack. “Our solidarity goes out to Israel in these hours,” added Baerbock.
Attack on Israel: Air alarm in Jerusalem – first projectiles reach capital
Update on April 14th, at 1:07 a.m.:
Air alert in Jerusalem! The sirens are wailing in the Israeli capital, and television images appear to show the “Iron Dome” air defense system and the Israeli Air Force intercepting the first Iranian projectiles. So far there have been no reports of impacts or casualties.
After more than 100 Iranian drones were shot down in the direction of Israel, it was expected that the missiles would reach their targets after several hours of flight. It is currently not known whether the intercepted objects were Shahed drones or significantly faster cruise missiles.
Iran attack on Israel: air alert in various locations
After Iran's attack on Israel, there were rocket alarms in various places on Sunday night. According to the army, the warning sirens wailed in areas such as the south of Israel, the Dead Sea, the greater Jerusalem area and the north of the country. It was initially unclear whether there were impacts.
Iran's attack on Israel: Army spokesman warns civilians
Update on April 14, at 1:00 a.m.:
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces, made a video statement on Saturday evening about Iran's attack on Israel, in which he again called on Israeli civilians to stay in protected places.
“I remind you that no matter where the threat comes from, if an alarm occurs, you must go to the shelter and wait there for at least ten minutes,” Hagari said.
Attack against Israel: Air defense system is fully operational
“We will inform you in real time if you need to stay there longer. The air defense system is fully operational and intercepts threats wherever necessary, including at this moment. At this point, there are numerous IAF aircraft in the air, ready to repel any threat,” Hagari added.
He warned that civilians “may hear explosions from intercept operations or falling debris.”
“Because there are a variety of threats, the warnings can be issued over wide areas,” he said. “Continue to act as responsibly and calmly as before and follow the instructions. We are strong and able to overcome this event."
Hagari said he would issue further updates shortly.
Update April 14, 12:43 a.m.:
Iran says its attack on Israel is in response to Israel's attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus and "the matter can be considered closed."
Iran's attack on Israel
Iran's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York said the attack early Sunday was a response to Israeli "aggression against our diplomatic facilities in Damascus."
Attack on Israel: Iran issues statement after retaliatory strike
Israel attacked an Iranian building in the Syrian capital Damascus earlier this month. A military spokesman said Israel believed the Iranian building attacked was a “military building.” The Iranian mission said the matter had been “considered closed.”
“However, if the Israeli regime makes another mistake, Iran’s response will be much harsher. “It is a conflict between Iran and the rogue Israeli regime that the US MUST stay out of!” the Permanent Mission of Iran added in its statement on X.
Update April 14, 12:39 a.m.:
U.S. air defense systems in the Middle East have intercepted some Iranian drones, according to two U.S. officials. The sources did not specify how the US intercepted the drones or where.
Attack on Israel: Not only Iran but also Hezbollah fires rockets
Update on April 14, at 12:34 a.m.:
In the wake of the attack on Israel from Iran, the Lebanese Hezbollah has now claimed in a statement that its fighters fired dozens of Katyusha rockets at the headquarters of the Israel Air Defense Forces (IDF). Kaila barracks in the Golan Heights fired.
Iran's attack on Israel: Hezbollah fires rockets at IDF air defense center
In a statement, Hezbollah expressed its support for the Palestinian people of the Gaza Strip and their resistance to Israeli attacks on civilian areas.
Hezbollah said the attack occurred at 12:35 p.m. local time on Sunday. Accordingly, dozens of rockets are said to have been fired during the attack on Israel.
First report on April 14th, at 0:32:
Tel Aviv - The war in Israel and therefore especially the war in the Middle East is apparently on the verge of further escalation. Apparently, in addition to unmanned drones, Iran also fired rockets in the attack on Israel. According to Iranian state television, the missiles, accompanied by a massive drone strike, were the "response to the Zionist regime's recent crimes," a statement from the Revolutionary Guard read out live on television said.
Some of the missiles Iran has in its arsenal to attack Israel could hit Tel Aviv in just four minutes.
Iran’s attack on Israel: German ambassador warns – “direct attack like never before”
After the attack against Israel began, German Ambassador Steffen Seibert called on all Germans on site to follow the instructions of the security authorities during the Iranian retaliation. “A direct attack like never before: Iranian drones approaching Israel and there can be more to come,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday evening. “I urge all German compatriots to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command and the local authorities for your safety,” the ambassador continued, as Iran’s attack on Israel appears to be imminent.
Iran had previously launched an attack against Israel and dozens of drones towards the country. It will take several hours before the drones can reach Israeli territory, said Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari on Saturday evening.
Iran's attack on Israel
The US government has also confirmed the start of an Iranian air strike against Israel. US President Joe Biden will be continuously informed about the situation of a possible escalation in the war in the Middle East and will meet with his security team in the White House on Saturday afternoon for consultations, said a spokeswoman for the National Security Council.
The attack was “likely to last several hours,” it said about Iran’s impending attack on Israel.
Iran's attack on Israel: airspace across the country closed due to impending drone attack
Because of the drone attack from Iran, which has hundreds of thousands of soldiers and numerous weapons at its disposal for the war, Israel is closing its airspace on Sunday night. Israeli media reported this on Saturday evening, citing the aviation authority. The airspace should be closed from 00:30 local time (Saturday 23:30 CET) due to the threat of escalation in the war in the Middle East.
Iran's attack on Israel
Iran's state media has confirmed the attack against Israel and thus an escalation in the war in the Middle East. “A broad drone operation by the Revolutionary Guards against targets in the occupied country (Israel) began minutes ago,” said the subtitles on state television shortly before midnight on Saturday about the retaliatory strike against Israel.
War in the Middle East: Iran's leader reiterates threat to attack Israel
After Israeli reports of a drone attack from Iran, its head of state Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reiterated his threats against the Jewish state on social media. “The evil regime will be punished,” said the religious leader’s official account on the X platform (formerly Twitter) on Saturday evening. The quote comes from a speech last Wednesday, when there was already speculation about a further escalation in the war in the Middle East and an accompanying attack on Israel.
On April 1, two brigadier generals and five other members of the powerful Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were killed in a suspected Israeli airstrike on the Iranian embassy compound in the Syrian capital Damascus. Iran's leaders then repeatedly announced retaliation.
War in the Middle East
Further escalation in the war in the Middle East: According to Israeli information, Iran has launched a drone attack on Israel. Army spokesman Daniel Hagari confirmed this on Saturday evening. It will take several hours for the drones to reach Israeli territory.
The military is on high alert and monitoring the situation, according to a statement sent by the army via Telegram. The air defense system is on high alert, as are fighter jets and naval ships. Spokesman Hagari emphasized that the army is monitoring the situation and that all defense systems are ready. In addition, GPS reception is suppressed in various parts of the country.
War in the Middle East: Shortly before Iran's attack on Israel, the alert was further increased
In view of the tense security situation shortly before Iran's attack, Israel had further increased the alert: The army issued new protection instructions for the civilian population, which were initially to apply from Saturday evening to Monday evening. US President Joe Biden was expected at the White House to discuss the attacks with his security team.
Military tensions in the Middle East escalated after two Iranian brigadier generals were killed in a suspected Israeli airstrike on Iran's embassy compound in Syria on April 1.
Iran's attack on Israel: USA pledges full support because of the retaliatory strike
Due to Iran's feared attack on Israel, US President Joe Biden has assured Tel Aviv of full US support. Joe Biden spoke plainly: he said “Don’t” in the direction of Tehran, which in German means something like “Don’t do that” or “Leave it”. The incumbent US President believes that Iran will attack several targets inside Israel in the coming days. He has therefore signaled that the US will help intercept any weapons fired at his allies - sources tell CNN
.
To this end, the USA, among other things, positioned two destroyers in the region against Iran to provide support against the attack on Israel.
Impending Iran Attack on Israel: US “Iron Commitment” to Security
How tense the situation was was made clear on Saturday by the lively exchange between government representatives from the USA and Israel and the corresponding communications, which can also be understood as messages to Iran. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin assured his Israeli colleague Joav Galant of full US support in defending against any attacks by Iran and its proxies. In a phone call, the two discussed “acute regional threats,” said US Department of Defense spokesman Pat Ryder.
US President Biden's security advisor, Jake Sullivan, also spoke to his Israeli counterpart Zachi Hanegbi about events in the Middle East. According to his own statements, he reaffirmed the US's "iron commitment" to Israel's security.
War in the Middle East: Tension between Israel and Iran at its peak since the Gaza war against Hamas
The conflict between Israel and Iran is more tense than it has been since the beginning of the war between Israel and Hamas. This began after the Palestinian militant group Hamas carried out a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people. Israel then launched an operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, killing more than 30,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities.
Iran's attack on Israel: Other groups apparently supported Hamas
Both American and Israeli officials have accused Iran of supporting Hamas and Islamic Jihad not only politically but also materially. In addition, the accused's circle also includes other militias abroad such as the Lebanese Hezbollah, the Yemeni Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthi rebels, and a number of forces in Iraq and Syria, not only providing political but also material support.
War in the Middle East: The trigger for Iran's attack on Israel is probably an air strike in Syria
On April 1, an Israeli airstrike destroyed the Iranian consulate in Syria, killing 12 people, including two senior Iranian generals from the Revolutionary Guard's elite Quds Force.
Iran vowed retaliation and the commander of the Revolutionary Guard warned last week that “our brave men will punish the Zionist regime.” (
with material from dpa/afp/reuters
)