Iran carried out a significant drone attack on Israel on Saturday, as reported by Israel’s military and confirmed by Iranian state media citing Iran’s revolutionary guards. The attack is expected to take hours to reach its targets. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have stated that Operation ‘True Promise’ is a response to Israeli actions and is part of their strategy to punish Israel for what they perceive as crimes.
Israel’s Channel 12 TV reported that Iran also launched cruise missiles at Israel, with a shorter flight time compared to drones. Jordan has positioned its air defenses to intercept and destroy any Iranian drones or aircraft that breach its airspace, with the army on high alert and radar systems actively monitoring drone movements. El Al Airlines has canceled 15 flights scheduled for Saturday and Sunday due to escalating tensions with Iran and the closure of Israel’s airspace.
Syria has placed its Russian-made Pantsir ground-to-air defense systems on high alert around the capital and major bases in response to the situation. Iraq reported numerous drones departing from Iran towards Israel via Iraqi airspace. Iran’s actions are in response to what they see as an Israeli attack on their Damascus consulate on April 1, resulting in the deaths of seven Revolutionary Guards officers. U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated his commitment to stand with Israel against Iranian aggression.
Retired Israeli general Amos Yadlin disclosed that the Iranian drones were carrying approximately 20 kg (44 pounds) of explosives each. Israel’s military has activated sirens in threatened areas and announced its readiness to respond to potential threats. Both Israel and Jordan closed their airspace on Saturday night in response to the escalating situation.
The ongoing Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas has heightened tensions in the region, with confrontations spreading to Lebanon and Syria. Reports of long-range attacks on Israeli targets originating from Yemen and Iraq have also emerged. Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported that a Guards helicopter intercepted and redirected the Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries into Iranian waters earlier in the day.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz condemned Iran’s actions as piracy, adding to the complexity of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
