2024-04-13 21:22:06
Iran has launched a drone attack once morest Israel. This was confirmed by army spokesman Daniel Hagari. Iran’s state media confirmed the retaliatory strike.
“A broad drone operation by the Revolutionary Guards once morest targets in the occupied country (Israel) began minutes ago,” it said on state television shortly before midnight on Saturday.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for the attack on Israel. Specific locations in Israel are being targeted with drones and missiles, according to a statement distributed through state media. Iran also fired cruise missiles at Israel, according to a report by Israel’s Channel 12. Their flight time is shorter than that of drones. Accordingly, Iran fired more than 100 drones and cruise missiles. Some were shot down over Syria and Jordan.
Jordan declared a state of emergency. The Reuters news agency reported, citing insiders, that Jordan is ready to shoot down Iranian drones if they violate Jordanian airspace.
Israeli army spokesman Hagari emphasized that the air defense system was on high alert, as were fighter jets and naval ships. The army is monitoring the situation and all defense systems are ready. In addition, GPS reception is suppressed in various parts of the country. The Israeli authorities announced that the airspace would be closed from 00:30 local time (Saturday 23:30 CET).
According to US information, the airstrike is expected to last for several hours, according to a statement from Adrienne Watson, a spokeswoman for national security in the presidential office. US President Joe Biden is in contact with Israeli representatives and other allies.
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) was very concerned regarding Iran’s drone attacks once morest Israel. “This is a new level of escalation in a situation that is already extremely dangerous,” he wrote on X (Twitter) late Saturday evening. He also called on Iran and its allies to “stop adding fuel to the fire.”
In view of the tense security situation shortly before the attack, Israel had further increased the alert: The army issued new protection instructions for the civilian population, which were initially to apply from Saturday evening to Monday evening. US President Joe Biden was expected at the White House to discuss the attacks with his security team.
As the Reuters news agency learned from security circles, a number of drones were spotted over the Iraqi province of Suleimaniyah. They came from Iran, three insiders said.
Military tensions in the Middle East escalated following two Iranian brigadier generals were killed in a suspected Israeli airstrike on Iran’s embassy compound in Syria on April 1.
Biden had assured Israel of the full support of the USA in view of the feared attack from Iran. On Saturday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin renewed that assurance.
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