Key points
1.05pm Berlin has summoned the Iranian ambassador
11.53 Iran: 'I acted responsibly, responded proportionately'
12.36 Meloni: 'Strong condemnation of Iran's attack, but now de-escalation'
11.06 Schlein: 'The G7's request for de-escalation is important'
10.30 Iran: 'If Israel responds, we will react harder'
10.16am Scholz: 'Israel should also participate in the de-escalation'
10.15am Ambassador of Israel: 'We won't say how but we will stop Iran'
09:33 Macron: spoke on the attack on Iran, requested by Amman
08:25 Iran, no further military actions against Israel are planned
07:51 Isw, Iranian attacks on Israel on the Russian model against Kiev
07:18 Beijing calls for 'maximum calm and moderation' after Iran attack
07:17 Israel, 'IDF intercepts a drone arriving in the country from the east'
07:16 WSJ, half of Iran's missiles failed to launch into Israel
07:00 Media: Flights resumed at Tehran airports
05:16 Japanese Prime Minister Kishida condemns Iran's attack
04:42 Israel cites Zelensky's warning at the UN: 'Listen to him and wake up'
04.24 Blinken hears from UK and German ministers
02:35 The US House speaker wants to vote on aid to Israel this week
02:14 USA: 80 drones and 6 missiles launched by Iran and Yemen destroyed yesterday
01.50 Egypt insists: ceasefire in Gaza or dangerous escalation
01:54 Israel, IDF: schools reopen today, not on the border of Lebanon and Gaza
01:19 Biden calls congressional leaders: pass law on aid to Israel and Gaza
00:56 Blinken calls the ministers of Egypt, Türkiye, Jordan and Arabia
00:23 Iran invokes the right to self-defense at the UN: we had no choice
1.13pm THE PODCAST - Stefano Polli's analysis
1.05pm
Berlin summoned the Iranian ambassador
The German government has summoned the Iranian ambassador to Berlin. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said this at a press conference.
11:53
Iran: 'I acted responsibly, responded proportionately'
“The Iranian Armed Forces acted responsibly, professionally and logically and struck only Israeli military targets: Our airstrikes against Israel were based on the UN chapter. They were necessary, legitimate and proportionate to the recent Israeli attack on our consulate in Syria". This was underlined by the spokesperson of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Nasser Kanani, according to what the Irna agency reports. Tehran - he added - expects the world community, the United States, European states, as well as regional, Arab and Islamic states "to support and approve Iran's action against Israel's provocative and illegal moves".
12.36pm
Meloni: 'Strong condemnation of Iran's attack, but now de-escalation'
At yesterday's meeting of the G7 "the need was reiterated for us all to do our part to dialogue with all the actors involved and pass on messages of responsibility". Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said this in Verona, on the sidelines of her visit to Vinitaly. "We reiterate as a government - she added - our firm condemnation of the Iranian attack against Israel. However, I believe that a de-escalation of the conflict within that region is very important, we all realize that an escalation could have consequences very significant."
11:06
Schlein: 'The G7's request for de-escalation is important'
"Yesterday there was a G7 meeting" with "the request for de-escalation" which "we find important". "The request to the government is to do everything possible to contribute to a cessation of the conflict and the fire", said the secretary of the Democratic Party Elly Schlein in an interview with the Foreign Press. "We are in conflict over everything in internal politics but on these issues, starting from our positions, we dialogue", she added. "The Democratic Party, since the beginning of this resurgence of the conflict, has forcefully called for a ceasefire, to free the hostages and bring humanitarian aid. It is important to find a basis for dialogue in international politics".
10.30am
Iran: 'If Israel responds, we will react harder'
"Iran's limited attack against Israel on Saturday evening was aimed at warning, deterring and punishing the Zionist regime. But if Israel takes new action against Iran, it will certainly face a very strong response." Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said this in a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Serghei Lavrov.
10.16am
Scholz: 'Israel should also participate in the de-escalation'
"Yesterday I spoke with the other G7 partners in a conference call about what to do, and I was pleased to see that our assessment is identical and our call is clear: Iran must end this aggression." The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, said this in a meeting with the press in Shanghai, broadcast by NTV in Germany. To a question about Israel's possible reaction, Scholz added: "Our advice is to participate in the de-escalation themselves."
10.15am
Israeli Ambassador: 'We won't say how but we will stop Iran'
"It's not a good idea to tell the enemy what we will do" to respond to attacks on Israel, "but until we find a way to stop Iran the risk of escalation will continue to exist." Israeli ambassador Alon Bar said this to Skytg24.
09:33
Macron: spoke on the attack on Iran, requested by Amman
In attacks against Israel, France carried out "interceptions" (of drones and missiles) at Jordan's request, French President Emnmanuel Macron said. And he accused Iran of having "decided to strike Israel", causing "a deep laceration". "We will do everything to avoid an escalation in the Middle East," he added. Macron assured that he wanted to "do everything to avoid a fire" in the Middle East after Iran's attack on Israel. Responding in an interview with RMC Sport and BFM TV 100 days before the Olympics, Macron said: "We have condemned, we have intervened, we will do everything to avoid a fire and an escalation. We must isolate Iran, increase sanctions and find a path to peace in the region".
08:25
Iran, no further military actions against Israel are planned
"Iran's attack on Israel, in response to the Zionist attack on the premises of the Iranian consulate in Damascus, was the minimum punitive action necessary to guarantee our national interests and security, based on the chapter of United Nations,” Tehran's Supreme National Security Council said. “Iran exclusively targeted Israeli military bases during the operation and no military action against the regime is currently planned,” the Council underlined in a statement, quoted by IRNA, adding: “The Zionist regime has crossed the red lines. If the regime continues its evil actions against Iran by any means and levels, it will receive a response 10 times stronger."
07:51
Isw, Iranian attacks on Israel on the Russian model against Kiev
The Iranian attack against Israel was modeled on those the Russians repeatedly use against Ukraine to great effect, but the damage to Israel was more limited than expected, probably because the Iranians underestimated the country's enormous defense capabilities compared to Kiev: Tehran will learn the lesson and work to improve the ability to penetrate Israeli defenses, as the Russians did. The analysts of the American think tank Isw (The Institute for the study of war) write this.
Iranian drones were launched long before ballistic missiles, probably with the expectation that they would arrive in Israel's air defense window at about the same time as cruise missiles. The Russians have also used this approach against Ukraine several times. The aim is to have cruise missiles and slower drones distract and overcome air defenses to allow ballistic missiles, which are much harder to shoot down, to reach their targets. The Iranians most likely expected that few, if any, of their cruise missiles and drones would hit their targets, but they probably hoped that a significantly higher percentage of their ballistic missiles would. In reality, only a few ballistic missiles have penetrated Israeli air defenses and hit near Israeli military bases, of the approximately 120 launched by the Iranians. “Ukrainian air defenses averaged interception rates of only about 46 percent of Russian ballistic missiles during recent large attacks. The Iranians probably expected that Israeli rates would be higher than Ukrainian ones but no higher than 90 percent. % against such a large salvo of ballistic missiles: the Russians have never launched so many large ballistic missiles in a single attack against Ukraine,” the think tank's website reads. Ukraine often intercepts more than 75% of Russian cruise missiles and drones, but many of these interceptions occur within the air defense umbrella that also covers ballistic missile defense. The Iranians therefore probably expected that at least some of their drones and cruise missiles would interfere with Israeli targeting of incoming ballistic missiles. “Iran's ability to penetrate Israeli air defenses with even a small number of large ballistic missiles presents serious security concerns for Israel,” the ISW says.
07:18
Beijing calls for 'maximum calm and moderation' after Iran attack
China first defined Israel's attack on the Iranian embassy in Syria as "extremely ferocious" and then expressed "deep concern" about Iran's retaliation against Israel, urging "utmost calm and moderation" from all related parties. This is Beijing's position reiterated during the emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on the Iranian attack.
The number two of the Chinese permanent representation, Dai Bing, reiterated the request for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, noting that the "humanitarian catastrophe is to be considered unacceptable".
07:17
Israel, 'IDF intercepts a drone arriving in the country from the east'
During the night, the Israeli air force intercepted a drone approaching the country from the east. The military spokesperson made it known that the drone was constantly monitored by the IDF and never posed "a threat" and for this reason the alarm sirens did not sound.
07:16
WSJ, half of Iran's missiles failed to launch into Israel
According to US officials quoted by the Wall Street Journal, half of Iran's ballistic missiles against Israel failed to launch or fell before reaching their target.
According to Israel, Tehran launched more than 170 explosive-laden drones, around 120 ballistic missiles and around 30 cruise missiles, almost all of which were intercepted.
07:00
Media: Flights resumed at Tehran airports
Iranian news agency Tasnim says airports in the capital Tehran resumed flights on Monday at 6am local time. Imam Khomeini and Mehrabad airports had suspended their operations following Iran's attack on Israel.
05:16
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida condemns Iran's attack
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida harshly condemns the recent attack conducted by Iran with drones and missiles towards Israel, decided in response to the bombing of the Iranian diplomatic headquarters in Syria at the beginning of April by the Jewish State, where seven people died. "The attack only aggravates the already precarious situation in the Middle East. We are extremely concerned and view the move as further incitement to a large-scale conflict," Kishida told local media. The conservative prime minister, just returned from a state visit to Washington, also stated that Tokyo will continue with diplomatic efforts to avoid an escalation of hostilities", making himself available to cooperate with other countries.
04:42
Israel cites Zelensky's warning at the UN: 'Listen to him and wake up'
Israel's permanent representative to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, called on the international community to condemn the Iranian attack on Israel using the words of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. "In recent years, Ukrainian civilians have been killed from the air with Iranian weapons," Erdan said during yesterday's emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
"Condemning the Iranian attack - continued the Israeli official -, Zelensky said that 'the sound of Iranian Shahed drones is the same in the skies of the Middle East and Europe and must serve as a wake-up call for the free world' Listen to President Zelensky - urged Erdan - and wake up."
04:24
Blinken hears from UK and German ministers
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to his counterparts from the UK and Germany yesterday following Iran's attack on Israel. All parties agreed "on the importance of condemning the Iranian attack in the strongest possible terms and preventing further escalation", reads a statement from the US State Department cited by the US media.
02:35
The US House speaker wants to vote on aid to Israel this week
US House Speaker Mike Johnson said he plans to put the Israel aid bill to a vote this week, but did not clarify whether funding for Ukraine would be part of the package. "House Republicans and our party understand the need to stand with Israel. We will try again this week," Johnson said on Fox.
02:14
USA: 80 drones and 6 missiles launched by Iran and Yemen destroyed yesterday
Between 13 and 14 April, US Central Command (Centcom) forces, supported by US European Command destroyers, successfully destroyed more than 80 drones and at least six ballistic missiles intended to hit Israel from Iran and Yemen.
Centcom itself reports this in a post on X, underlining that "Iran's unprecedented and reckless attack endangers regional stability and the security of the United States and coalition forces". The US forces, the note continues, "will continue to defend Israel against these dangerous actions and to work with all our regional partners to increase security in the region".
01:50
Egypt insists: ceasefire in Gaza or dangerous escalation
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry returned last night to call for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, considering the Iranian attack on Israel a warning of the danger of an escalation of conflicts in the region which Cairo has long feared. He did so during two separate phone calls with his Iranian counterpart Hussein Amir Abdollahian and with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz.
Shoukry, reports his spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid, expressed Egypt's "deep concern over the unprecedented military escalation between Iran and Israel, which risks spiraling out of control and threatening the stability of the region by endangering civilians of all Village".
He therefore urged Iran and Israel "to demonstrate maximum restraint and refrain from mutual provocations that could increase tension and instability in the Middle East."
Egypt - he added - is ready to "intensify efforts in cooperation with its partners to defuse the current crisis, which sees at its center the continuous attacks on the Gaza Strip and the daily suffering of the Palestinian people", asking that " may the voice of reason prevail by entrusting diplomatic efforts with the search for solutions that preserve the stability of the Middle East and the security of the peoples of the region". In conclusion, speaking with Israeli Foreign Minister Katz, Shoukry reaffirmed Egypt's firm position that "demands a ceasefire in Gaza, facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid and reject any measures aimed at driving the Palestinians from their lands ". A position - he reiterated - that is firmly against any ground military operation in the Palestinian Rafah.
01:54
Israel, IDF: schools reopen today, not on the borders of Lebanon and Gaza
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the reopening today of schools in most of the country, which had been closed on Saturday for security reasons related to threats from Iran. After having assessed the situation "it was decided to resume educational activities throughout the country from Monday" without prejudice, however, to "restrictions" in the border area with Lebanon and in the localities near the Gaza Strip, the spokesperson of the Israeli army Daniel Hagari.
01:19
Biden calls on congressional leaders: pass aid bill for Israel and Gaza
American President Joe Biden had a virtual meeting with the leader of the Democratic majority in the Senate Chuck Schumer, that of the Republican minority Mitch McConnell, the speaker of the House Mike Johnson and the leader of the minority dem in the House Hakeem Jeffries "to discuss the attack unprecedented attack on Iran against Israel." This was reported by the White House, specifying that during the call Biden spoke "of the urgent need for the national security law to be approved as soon as possible", which includes new aid for Ukraine, Israel and Gaza.
00:56
Blinken calls ministers from Egypt, Türkiye, Jordan and Arabia
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke, in separate phone calls, with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Jordanian Ayman Safad and Saudi Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud about Iran's attack on Israel. This was reported by the spokesperson of the US State Department, Matthew Miller.
With ministers, Blinken stressed the importance of avoiding escalation and coordinating on a diplomatic response. The US Secretary of State also addressed ongoing efforts to increase humanitarian assistance in the Gaza Strip, protect Palestinian civilians and reach an immediate ceasefire that would ensure the release of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
00:23
Iran invokes the right to self-defense at the UN: we had no choice
Iran "had no choice but to exercise its right to self-defense." Tehran's ambassador to the UN, Saed Iravani, said this during the emergency meeting of the Security Council. "The CDS failed in its duty to maintain international peace and security" by not condemning the April 1 Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, and "under these conditions, the Islamic Republic had no choice but to exercise its his right to self-defense", he reiterated.
1.13pm
THE PODCAST - Stefano Polli's analysis
Not to be missed
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