Iran made its first-ever direct attack on Israel Saturday, sending hundreds of drones and missiles to the area. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi released a warning to Israel, stating that if it retaliates against the attack, there will be a “stronger response.”
“If the Zionist regime (Israel) or its supporters demonstrate reckless behavior, they will receive a decisive and much stronger response,” Raisi said in a statement.
Iran initiated an attack on Israel after it attacked the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, on April 1, killing several of its military commanders.
Before Iran’s attack, the Israeli government warned that it would suffer the “consequences for choosing to escalate the situation any further.”
With the help of the U.S., the United Kingdom and Jordan, 99% of the launches were intercepted. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari declared that “the Iranian attack was foiled,” according to Newsmax.
This is what a 99% interception rate looks like. Operational footage from the Aerial Defense System protecting the Israeli airspace: pic.twitter.com/eAwcUPUDw2
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) April 14, 2024
Hagari reported that drones and missiles caused minor damage to one of the Israeli military bases. There were no casualties reported but 12 people were injured, including a seven-year-old girl who was hit by shrapnel and, according to the latest reports, was undergoing surgery.
The Iranian military also declared that its mission was successful.
“Operation Honest Promise … achieved all its objectives,” said Mohammad Bagheri, the Iranian armed forces’ chief of staff.
Several countries have come out to condemn Iran’s actions, including the U.S., France and the U.K.
Iran has always supported Hamas and the Palestinian people and has called for Israel’s destruction. The Week reported that Iran’s mission to the U.N. sent a warning to the U.S. about interfering in the Israel-Iran conflict, urging it to “stay away.”
Experts have stated that there is a possibility that Israel will strike Iranian territories in response to the attack. Iran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport and the Mehrabad Airport were closed until Monday morning.
Several countries have suspended flights to and from Iran and Israel and have told their citizens not to travel to either country.
The increased tension in the Middle East has many world leaders concerned that the violence could spread throughout the region.
“Neither the region nor the world can afford more war,” said U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as he met with the Security Council to discuss Saturday’s attack.
“The Middle East is on the brink,” he warned. “The people of the region are confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict. Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate.”
