Iran has made good on its threat: for the first time in the history of the Islamic Republic, the country has directly attacked its arch-enemy Israel. Is there a conflagration in the Middle East?
Tel Aviv - Iran has made good on its threat and directly attacked its declared arch-enemy Israel for the first time.
Military tensions in the Middle East escalated after a suspected Israeli airstrike on April 1 on an Iranian embassy building in Syria's capital Damascus left several people dead. They included two brigadier generals and five other members of the powerful Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
Military spokesman: Only a few rockets hit Israel
After the major attack, Israeli homeland security has initially given the all-clear. 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.
According to the Israeli military, Iran has used around 200 drones and missiles. 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. Reports: US forces have intercepted Iranian drones
US intercepts Iranian drones
US forces have intercepted Iranian drones aimed at Israel, according to media reports. The US channels CNN, 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 were flying 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."
The United States has maintained and used bases in the Middle East for decades. According to the Pentagon, around 2,400 US soldiers are deployed in Iraq. There are around 700 in Syria and around 4,000 in Jordan. On Friday, the Pentagon announced that it would increase the military presence and protection of troops in the region. Iran has called on the US to stay out of the conflict.
The Israeli news site ynet reported that Israeli intelligence had been informed of two drones fired from Iran early Sunday that were intercepted and shot down by U.S. forces or other regional defense facilities in the Gulf or Jordan.
Israel's rescue service after Iranian attack: girl seriously injured
According to the Magen David Adom rescue service, a ten-year-old girl was seriously injured in Iran's major attack on Israel. The rescue service said on Sunday night that it was a Bedouin woman from the area around the city of Arad in the Negev desert. The rescue service initially reported that there were no injuries in the Iranian attacks.
Explosions near Erbil in northern Iraq - sirens at the US consulate
Several explosions occurred in northern Iraq following the Iranian attack on Israel. According to eyewitnesses and Kurdish media, around 20 rockets fell on Sunday night in Erbil province, where, among other things, there is a US consulate and a US military base. Warning sirens could be heard at the consulate. There were initially no reports of possible damage or casualties. A resident told the German Press Agency that the explosions had caused some windows to burst. Some people panicked.
Activists: Air defense activated over Syria
According to human rights activists, air defenses have been activated in Syria following the Iranian attack against 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.
Iran's defense minister warns of counterattacks
The Iranian defense minister has warned of counterattacks on his country after the start of retaliatory strikes against Israel. Any state that attacks Iran will receive a “decisive response,” said General Mohammed-Reza Ashtiani, according to the state news agency Irna on Sunday night.
Iran has also portrayed the attack on Israel as an appropriate response to the attack on its embassy in Syria. “The matter can be considered closed. However, if the Israeli regime makes another mistake, Iran's reaction will be much harsher," the Iranian mission to the United Nations said on Platform X in New York on Saturday (local time). The USA, in turn, must stay out of the conflict, the message emphasized.
Hezbollah fires rockets from Lebanon towards Israel
The Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah says it has fired rockets into the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Israeli barracks in the area were targeted with Katyusha-type rockets late on Saturday evening, the spleen said.
Netanyahu addresses citizens of Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the citizens of his country shortly before the attack. “The State of Israel is strong. The IDF is strong. “We appreciate the US standing with Israel, as well as the support of Britain, France and many other countries,” he said. “We have a clear principle: whoever harms us, we harm them too,” he warned. “Together we will stand and with God’s help defeat all our enemies,” Netanyahu added.
Defense Minister Joav Galant has repeatedly emphasized that such an attack would not go unanswered. “A direct Iranian attack will require an appropriate Israeli response against Iran,” Galant warned last Friday.
Media: “Significant response” expected from Israel to Iran attack
According to Israeli media reports, a “significant reaction” from Israel can be expected after Iran’s major attack. This was reported by Israeli television and the Haaretz newspaper on Sunday night. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed how to proceed with his inner circle of ministers. dpa