Iran Conducts First Direct Attack on Israel, Launching Hundreds of Missiles and Drones

 

Iran carried out its initial direct assault on Israeli territory by launching numerous missiles and drones. The attack, which occurred on Saturday night, triggered air raid sirens across Israel, including in Tel Aviv and West Jerusalem. Israeli air defenses intercepted most of the projectiles, but some minor damage was reported at an Israeli military facility, and a seven-year-old girl sustained injuries from shrapnel.

 

The Iranian onslaught, consisting of over 300 drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles, originated from Iran, Iraq, and Yemen, according to the Israeli military. Despite the severity of the attack, with assistance from forces from France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, 99 percent of the incoming threats were successfully intercepted.

 

Confirming the attack, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC) stated that it was in retaliation for what they deemed as the "Zionist entity’s crime of targeting the Iranian consulate in Syria" on April 1, which resulted in casualties, including senior IRGC figures. 

 

In response to the attack, the UN Security Council scheduled an emergency session at Israel's request, and several Western countries, including the US, UK, France, and others, condemned Iran's actions. However, some nations, such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, called for restraint.

 

US President Joe Biden reiterated his country's unwavering support for Israel's security during a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, affirming Israel's ability to defend itself against such attacks.

 

In the wake of the assault, tensions in the region have escalated further, with Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon temporarily closing their airspace, and Syria heightening its air defense readiness. Additionally, Iran's seizure of a container ship linked to Israel near the Strait of Hormuz earlier on Saturday further fueled tensions.

  

Despite the gravity of the situation, analysts believe that Iran's attack was carefully orchestrated to avoid provoking a larger conflict, aiming instead to assert its deterrence capabilities. However, there are concerns that the escalation could exacerbate the already volatile situation in Gaza.