- Iran launches unprecedented aerial attack on Israel, causing global concern
- Israel intercepts majority of missiles and drones, minimal damage reported
- International leaders urge restraint amid escalating tensions in Middle East
A “much stronger response” awaits Israel in any “reckless” retaliation it may offer in response to Iran’s unprecedented aerial assault, Iran has warned.
Iran fired over three hundred unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles at Israel during the night that followed the Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria on April 1.
The Allies and Israel claimed to have intercepted 99 per cent of the munitions.
Following an extended period of covert hostilities, this incident represented Iran’s initial direct assault on Israel.
Global leaders have exhorted restraint in light of apprehensions regarding a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East.
It is unknown how Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, will react to the attack; however, he has stated that “collectively we will prevail.”
The defence and foreign ministers of Israel issued a warning last week that Israel would retaliate against Iran if Iran were to attack Israel.
An assault was predicted after the demise of seven Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officers in the assault on the Damascus consulate.
According to a statement cited by AFP, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi threatened a decisive and significantly more powerful retaliation against any irresponsible conduct by the Zionist regime [Israel] or its supporters.
The attack was carried out “in retaliation against the Zionist regime’s [Israel] repeated crimes, including the assault on the Iranian embassy’s consulate in Damascus,” according to the IRGC, the most potent branch of Iran’s armed forces.
“The matter can be deemed concluded” after the strikes, according to the Iranian mission to the United Nations.
The chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, stated on state television that the United States had been warned, via Switzerland, that regional bases of the United States would be targeted if it supported an Israeli retaliation.
Reuters reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian stated he had informed the United States that its attacks against Israel would be “limited” and in self-defence.
“America’s ironclad commitment to the security of Israel” was reaffirmed in a conversation between US President Joe Biden and Mr Netanyahu that ensued after the Iranian assault failed.
He denounced the “unprecedented” assault on Israel and claimed that the United States had assisted Israel and its allies in “destroying almost all” of the missiles and drones.
Loud explosions were detected over Jerusalem, and air defence systems shot down objects above the city, causing sirens to sound throughout Israel.
According to the New York Times, which cited Israeli intelligence sources, military installations in the occupied Golan Heights appeared to be the primary targets.
A spokesman for the Israeli military estimated that approximately 360 munitions, including 170 explosive drones, 30 cruise missiles, and 120 ballistic missiles, had been discharged; however, Israel maintained that minimal damage had been inflicted.
Rear Adm Daniel Hagari, a spokesman for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), stated that Iranian missiles had struck within Israel, causing only minor harm to a military base and no casualties.
In the southern Arad region, he reported, a 10-year-old Bedouin girl had sustained grievous injuries from shrapnel ejected from falling debris.
Many world leaders will condemn the attack or warn of the perils of escalation in response to the significant escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran.
“My fellow G7 leaders and I will convene to coordinate a unified diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack,” stated Mr. Biden.
Additionally, an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council is scheduled for the future, according to its president, Vanessa Frazier.
António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, released a statement in which he “vehemently condemned the grave escalation exemplified by Iran’s massive assault on Israel.”
He urged an “immediate halt to these hostilities” and urged all parties involved to exercise the utmost restraint.
The assaults were deemed “reckless” by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and a “grave threat to regional security” by European Union foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs exhorted restraint, describing the situation as “the most recent spillover from the Gaza conflict,” whereas the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “extreme concern over another perilous escalation.”
France advised its citizens in Iran to vacate the country provisionally on Sunday, citing the potential for military escalation as the reason.
Pope Francis addressed audiences at the Vatican on Sunday, urging an end to “any action that could incite a violent spiral and potentially ensnare the Middle East in an even more protracted conflict.”
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Middle Eastern tensions have escalated since the 7 October Hamas attacks on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people (mostly civilians) and the capture of over 250 others.
The ensuing Israeli military operation in Gaza has claimed the lives of 33,729 individuals, the majority of whom are civilians, according to the health ministry, which is operated by Hamas.
In the interim, according to the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad, Hamas negotiators denied the most recent peace proposal put forth by mediators.
It stated in a statement that this demonstrated Yahya Sinwar, the commander of Hamas in Gaza, “does not desire a humanitarian agreement or the release of the hostages” and was “continuing to exploit the tension with Iran.”
Hamas reaffirmed its demand for a permanent cessation of hostilities, an all-out withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, the repatriation of Palestinians displaced by the conflict to their residences, and an escalation of humanitarian assistance to the region on Saturday.
