Iran launches drone and missile attack on Israel

Iran carried out a drone and missile attack on Israel on Saturday, nearly two weeks after a raid on the Iranian consulate in Damascus blamed on Israel sparked fears of an explosion in the Middle East. Iran also launched several cruise missiles towards Israel. The latter should take less time than drones to reach the borders of the Jewish state.

“Iran launched drones from its territory towards Israel,” Daniel Hagari said shortly after 11 pm in Jerusalem and 10 pm in Paris. “We are monitoring the threat in the airspace. This is a threat that will reach the territory of the State of Israel in a few hours,” added Rear Admiral Hagari. “We are working closely with the United States and our partners in the region to counter (drone) launches and interceptions,” he further stated.

Several drones were seen flying towards Iran over Iraq’s Sulaymaniyah province, three security sources told Reuters. “Dozens of drones were seen flying from Iran towards Israel over Iraqi airspace,” two Iraqi security sources also told Reuters.

Israel has prepared for this “event”

Shortly before this announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assured that his country had prepared for “the possibility of a direct attack by Iran” and was “ready to confront any scenario, as long as it is from the point of view of defense and not of attack.” “We appreciate the presence of the United States next to Israel, as well as the support of Britain, France and many other countries,” Benjamin Netanyahu added in a video message as his army wages a devastating war in the Gaza Strip.

Israel’s neighbor Jordan announced a temporary closure of its airspace, citing the “dangerous situation in the Middle East.” Iraq, which borders Iran, also closed its airspace. Before the attack, the US administration announced that President Joe Biden was to return to the White House to consult with his national security team on “developments in the Middle East”.

On Friday, the president said he expected an Iranian attack to occur “soon.” Faced with Iranian threats, the United States reaffirmed its “unwavering commitment to the security” of its Israeli ally and announced it would send reinforcements to the Middle East.

“Punishment” of Israel after the attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus

Iran has vowed to “punish” Israel following the April 1 attack on its Damascus consulate that cost the lives of two Revolutionary Guard generals. “In response to numerous crimes committed by the Zionist regime, including the attack on the consular section of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Damascus and the martyrdom of a group of our country’s military commanders and advisers in Syria, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Air Force launched dozens of missiles and drones at specific targets in the occupied territories,” state television reported, citing Guardian PR.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is an enemy of Israel and an ally of Hamas, the author of the unprecedented October 7 attack on Israeli soil, which triggered a devastating Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip that, according to Iranian authorities, killed 33,686 people, mostly civilians. Palestinian movement.