Israel-Iran Conflict: Iran Launches Unprecedented Attack on Israel
In a major escalation of the long-running covert war between Israel and Iran, Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel in an unprecedented attack late Saturday. The Israeli army announced that 99 percent of the launches had been intercepted, with 170 drones and 30 cruise missiles shot down before reaching Israel.
Despite the interception efforts, a few of the 110 ballistic missiles did manage to get through, injuring 12 people. The attack came in retaliation for a deadly April 1 air strike on Iran’s consulate building in Damascus.
The conflict has drawn international attention, with Iran summoning the French, British, and German ambassadors to Tehran over their reactions to the attack. Several Iranian airports have canceled flights until Monday, and major airlines across the Middle East have rerouted flights due to the tensions.
World leaders have condemned the attack, with Russia urging restraint and NATO calling it an escalation of regional unrest. G7 leaders are set to discuss the situation in a video conference, while the UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting to address the crisis.
US President Joe Biden reaffirmed his support for Israel and condemned the attacks, while former President Donald Trump criticized Biden for showing weakness in the face of Iran’s aggression.
As the situation continues to unfold, Israel remains on high alert, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing a strong response to the attack. The conflict between Israel and Iran has raised concerns about further destabilization in the region and the potential for a wider conflict.