Iran attacks Israel
WASHINGTON — Iran launched an air attack on Israel from Iranian territory, marking a major escalation in the long-running conflict between the two regional rivals.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards issued a statement early Sunday morning saying that “dozens of missiles and drones” were launched against Israel from Iranian territory. The statement said the attack was in retaliation for what Iranian officials said was an Israeli attack that killed several senior Iranian military commanders in Damascus on April 1.
The Israeli military has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the April 1 attack. The Israeli military said in a statement that the Israeli air force and navy were monitoring the Iranian attack.
Jacob Nagel, an Israeli reserve brigadier general, and former national security adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said in a telephone interview with the media that the Israeli Air Force may begin intercepting Iranian drones in the airspace of its Arab neighbors. It would take several hours for such drones to fly from Iran into Israeli airspace.
Nagel, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington, said he was basing his comments on his knowledge of Israel’s military capabilities and preparations for an Iranian attack.
Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a video speech posted on the X platform that Iran also launched missiles.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised address that Israel would resist “any threats and do so calmly and resolutely.”
The Biden administration said the United States would “stand with the people of Israel and support their defense against these threats from Iran.”
White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson issued a statement saying, “An attack could begin within hours. President Biden made clear our commitment to Israel’s security The support is unwavering.”
Netanyahu expressed his gratitude in the statement, saying, “We are grateful for the support of the United States for Israel and the support of the United Kingdom, France, and many other countries.”
Iran’s United Nations Mission in New York said in a post on the platform that the air strike on Israel was Iran’s final military action.
The statement said, “If the Israeli regime makes another mistake, Iran’s response will be even harsher. This is a conflict between Iran and the rogue Israeli regime, and the United States must avoid it.”
Nagel said that the Iranian attack may be a part of this conflict. turning point.
“We’re probably going to see a regional confrontation because it’s not just Iran attacks Israel; it’s Iran attacking the free world,” he said.
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