Iran launches massive missile and drone attack on Israel
Iran has launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, unleashing a barrage of missiles, rockets and drones from both its own territory and its proxies across the Middle East.
US and British forces reportedly intercepted more than 100 drones after hundreds were launched from Iran in a long-awaited attack after weeks of threats from Tehran.
Iranian state television said ballistic missiles had also been launched in a joint assault designed to overwhelm Israeli air defences “deep in the occupied territories”.
Daniel Hagari, the IDF spokesman, confirmed missiles were fired from Iran, saying: “A short while ago, Iran launched missiles from its territory toward the territory of the State of Israel.”
In a separate statement, the army said it was urging residents of the northern Golan Heights and the areas of Nevatim, Dimona, and Eilat to stay “near protective spaces”.
Drones and rockets were also launched by Iranian proxy groups in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
The Israeli army said it sounded sirens in a kibbutz near the Lebanon border.
Fighter jets were scrambled as the drones launched were seen flying low as they passed over Iraq, in an apparent attempt to avoid radar detection.
A loud buzzing noise could be heard on videos posted on social media as they passed overhead.
“This is a severe and dangerous escalation. Our defensive and offensive capabilities are at the highest level of readiness ahead of this large-scale attack from Iran,” Mr Hagari, said in an earlier televised statement.
He added: “We are working in close cooperation with the United States and our partners in the region in order to act against the launches and intercept them.”
The Israeli military has already begun planning for a retaliatory strike on Iran or its proxy groups in the region.
Israeli civilians have been advised to monitor government alerts and follow advice from the Home Front command.
Schools across the country and beaches near Gaza have been closed “in light of the security situation,” Mr Hagari said.
He added that the IDF’s interception attempts would scramble GPS signals across the country.
Mr Netanyahu convened his war cabinet, while Joe Biden returned to the White House from Delaware to be briefed on the situation by his national security team.
Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, condemned the “reckless” attack and said that the UK would “stand up for Israel’s security”.
He said: “These strikes risk inflaming tensions and destabilising the region. Iran has once again demonstrated that it is intent on sowing chaos in its own backyard.”
Israeli forces were joined by warships, jets and air defence systems from the US and Jordan.
On Saturday night there were unconfirmed reports that the UK had joined the defence of Israel with fighter jets from Cyprus. GPS data showed two RAF transport aircraft in the region shortly after the attack was first reported.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the UK has moved several additional Royal Air Force jets to the Middle East which can intercept airborne attacks.
It said in a statement: “In response to increased Iranian threats and the growing risk of escalation in the Middle East, the UK Government has been working with partners across the region to encourage de-escalation and prevent further attacks.
“We have moved several additional Royal Air Force jets and air refuelling tankers to the region.
“These will bolster Operation Shader, which is the UK’s existing counter-Daesh operation in Iraq and Syria. In addition, these UK jets will intercept any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions, as required.”
The Israeli defences will involve fighter jets and navy ships, which are both equipped with anti-aircraft missiles, and Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system.
The US has moved the USS Eisenhower aircraft carrier and three other warships closer to Israel in the northern Red Sea in recent days.
Jordan said its air defences were also ready to intercept and shoot down any Iranian drones or aircraft that violated its airspace, two regional security sources said. Mr Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, said: “Our defence systems are deployed, and we are prepared for any scenario, both in defence and offence.
“The State of Israel is strong, the IDF is strong, the public is strong. We appreciate the US for standing by Israel’s side as well as the support of the UK, France and many other countries.
“I established a clear principle – whoever hurts us, we will hurt them. We will defend ourselves from any threat and we will do so calmly and with determination.”
A statement from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported on state television said: “In response to the recent crime of the Zionist regime against the Iranian consulate in Syria, the IRGC air forces have successfully fired tens of drones and missiles towards the occupied territories.”
Iran’s permanent mission to the UN defended the attack as lawful “legitimate defence” and warned the US not to enter the conflict.
“Iran’s military action was in response to the Zionist regime’s aggression against our diplomatic premises in Damascus,” said a spokesman.
“The matter can be deemed concluded. However, should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe. It is a conflict between Iran and the rogue Israeli regime, from which the US must stay away.”
Iranian state television broadcast images of crowds gathered across Iran, celebrating the attack and chanting “Death to Israel”.
Long lines formed at petrol stations in Tehran as Iranians anticipated the Israeli response.
Airspace was closed over Israel, Iraq and Jordan after the attack was first reported, while schools in Israel have been told not to open.
Channel 12, an Israeli news network, reported that the US had been the first to warn Israel the attack was incoming.
Analysis
Why has Iran attacked Israel?
A White House spokesman said the attack was “likely to unfold over a number of hours”, adding: “The United States will stand with the people of Israel and support their defence against these threats from Iran.”
Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, said that “further escalation” was “in no-one’s interest and risks further loss of civilian life”.
“The UK will continue to work with our partners in support of regional security,” he added.
Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, said: “We condemn the Iranian regime’s decision to subject Israelis to these unacceptable attacks.
“The international community has been united in urging restraint and we regret that yet again Iran has chosen a different, dangerous path.”
The attack was first considered “imminent” by US intelligence on Wednesday, after Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, said Israel “must be punished” for a strike on an Iranian consulate compound in Damascus on April 1.
The strike killed 13 including a senior IRGC general, six other Iranian officials and six Syrians.
Iran’s response is thought to be directed at government and military buildings in Israel, not civilian targets. It is the first time that Iranian forces have directly attacked Israel, although Iran has backed the proxy groups Hamas and Hezbollah in Gaza and Lebanon.
Israel has indicated that it will strike Iran directly in response to any attack on its territory.
Iran’s most notorious drone is the Shahed, which has been deployed by Russia against Ukraine and by Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Analysis
The Shahed drone: Iran's low-cost but deadly weapon of choice
