Iran Launches Drone Salvo Targeting Israel, Tensions Escalate As US Reaffirms ‘Ironclad’ Support To Netanyahu

Iran initiated a significant escalation in the Middle East conflict by launching a barrage of explosives drones and missiles toward Israeli territory on Saturday.

This picture taken on April 14 ,2024, shows intercepted missiles that fired from Iran towards Israel, as seen over northern Israel.

Source : Getty Images

Hours after Iran-backed Hezbollah drones were seen in Israeli artillery sites, Tehran initiated a significant escalation in the Middle East conflict by launching a barrage of explosives drones and missiles toward Israeli territory on Saturday. This marked the first direct attack on Israel by Iran. It comes in the wake of heightened tensions in the region. The attack has been condemned by several countries. The United Nations, condemning the attack, called for “immediate cessation of these hostilities”. 

Iran Attacks Israel

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have confirmed several drones and missiles were launched at it from Iran. "Dozens of surface-to-surface missile launches from Iran were identified approaching Israeli territory," IDF said. 

"The IDF Aerial Defense Array successfully intercepted the majority of the launches using the Arrow Aerial Defense System, together with Israel's strategic allies, before the launches crossed into Israeli territory. A small number of hits were identified, including at an IDF base in southern Israel, where minor damage was caused to infrastructure," it added. 

Dozens of surface-to-surface missile launches from Iran were identified approaching Israeli territory. The IDF Aerial Defense Array successfully intercepted the majority of the launches using the Arrow Aerial Defense System, together with Israel's strategic allies, before the… pic.twitter.com/06GdLuJM6k

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) April 14, 2024

Reports from Israel indicated the sound of sirens wailing as drones approached, followed by distant explosions as Israeli forces intercepted the incoming threats. A Reuters report confirmed that a 10-year-old boy was critically injured in the attack. Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) posted a clear video of the attack on X. 

The clearest video of the moments when Iranian missiles hit the targets

Iranian missiles successfully pass through the Iron Dome in Hebron pic.twitter.com/Dl07YVki12

— IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) April 13, 2024

Israel's military has confirmed that over 100 drones were launched at it from Iran. Tel Aviv has also confirmed reports of additional missile strikes. As of now, no immediate reports of missile impacts within Israel, and the scale of the attack raised concerns of further escalation. 

The attack has been speculated in the international sphere for a long now. Iran has claimed the attack and it is being seen as a retaliation for perceived Israeli actions, including the reported strike on its Damascus consulate in Syria. 

US Extends 'Ironclad' Support To Israel

Soon after chairing a high-level meeting on the Middle East tensions, US President Joe Biden extended "ironclad" support to Israel against Iranian attacks. 

"I just met with my national security team for an update on Iran's attacks against Israel. Our commitment to Israel's security against threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad," Biden said in an X post.

The White House on Saturday, soon after the reports of the attack emerged, said and asserted that the US' support for Israel's security is "ironclad".

The United States stands with the people of Israel and supports their defence against this threat from Iran, Adrienne Watson, spokesperson of the National Security Council at the White House said.

Watson, in a statement, also said this attack is likely to unfold over several hours. He further conveyed that President Joe Biden's team is in constant touch with Israeli officials as well as other allies. 

"His team is in constant communication with Israeli officials as well as other partners and allies. This attack is likely to unfold over a number of hours. President Biden has been clear: our support for Israel's security is ironclad. The United States will stand with the people of Israel and support their defence against these threats from Iran," Watson said.

The European Union, Britain, France, Mexico, Czechia, Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands all condemned the attack by Iran on Israel.

United Nations Calls For 'Immediate Cessation'

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, condemned the attack and called for an "immediate cessation of hostilities". 

In a statement, he said, "I strongly condemn the serious escalation represented by the large-scale attack launched on Israel by the Islamic Republic of Iran this evening. I call for an immediate cessation of these hostilities."

"I am deeply alarmed about the very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation. I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East," United Nations Secretary-General said. 

"I have repeatedly stressed that neither the region nor the world can afford another war," Guterres stressed.