Drone strikes against Israel are launched by Iran

Iran has started attacking Israel from the air, the White House announced on Saturday.

According to a post on X by Radio Free Europe reporter Kian Sharifi, "extensive drone operation" was the mode of attack, as confirmed by Iranian state television in a ticker. Reporter Emanuel Fabian of the Times of Israel stated that an IDF spokesman stated that numerous drones had been launched from Iran.

Although the two nations have been exchanging attacks for years as part of a long-simmering conflict between the adversaries, the attack comes after months of rising tensions in the area. After Israel attacked an Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, on April 1, allegedly killing several senior Iranian military commanders, Iran issued a threat of retaliation.

According to Jake Epstein of Business Insider, the April strike was noteworthy because it might have been the first time Israel had targeted senior officials at a location connected to the Iranian government.

The Islamic Republic of Iran's Permanent Mission to the UN stated in a post on X that the military action on Saturday was carried out "in response to the Zionist regime's aggression against our diplomatic premises in Damascus."

The official statement stated, "The matter can be deemed concluded." "Iran will, however, react much more harshly if the Israeli regime makes another error. The US MUST REAIN FROM THIS CONFLICT, which is between Iran and the rogue Israeli regime."

Although there were still reports on Saturday afternoon that hundreds of drones and missiles were being fired toward Israel, as of the time this article was published, there was no proof that anyone on the Israeli ground had been hurt or killed by the bombardment.

Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, the deputy mayor of Jerusalem, confirmed that dozens of drones had been launched toward Israel to Business Insider. "I don't think either Israel or Iran wants this to escalate into a full-blown war; that's my assessment," she said.

Hassan-Nahoum remarked, "But if this goes wrong, this could turn into a world war." "Hopefully, they won't have caused too much harm, allowing us to defend ourselves and prevent any injuries from occurring. But this will undoubtedly turn into something much bigger if numerous Israelis are hurt or killed."

She stated that Israel will be closing its airspace for a total of seven hours starting at 12:30 a.m. local time in response to the drone launches, and that Israelis have been instructed to take cover at home during this time. In reaction to the attacks, Hassan-Nahoum stated that she anticipates that the United States will continue to support Israel, a sentiment that the White House reaffirmed in a statement is prepared to provide.

NSC spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement, "President Biden is being regularly updated on the situation by his national security team and will meet with them this afternoon at the White House." His team keeps in close contact with other partners and allies as well as Israeli officials. It is likely that this attack will take several hours to complete. President Biden has stated unequivocally that we fully support Israel's security. The US will support the Israeli people in defending themselves against these threats from Iran."

A few hours after the strikes, CNN, citing a senior administration official, reported that Biden informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the US would not support offensive strikes against Iran in the wake of the attack.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III stated in a statement released Saturday night that "our forces remain postured to protect US troops and partners in the region, provide further support for Israel's defense, and enhance regional stability." "We do not seek conflict with Iran, but we will not hesitate to act to protect our forces and support the defense of Israel."

Since Israel's founding in 1948, the United States has given it roughly $130 billion in economic and military assistance, according to data from the State Department released in October.

America's military assistance to Israel has increased since Hamas launched its attack on the country on October 7. Nonetheless, some lawmakers have become less eager to provide aid after criticizing Israel's brutal response to the attacks, which have resulted in at least 31,184 Palestinian deaths and 72,889 injuries, according to UN estimates from March.