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Tel Aviv, Israel – Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles towards Israel in its unprecedented attack overnight, injuring at least 12 people, an Israeli army spokesman said.
Credits : Al Jazeera
“Last night Iran fired over 300 ballistic missiles, UAVs and cruise missiles towards Israel,” military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told a televised statement, revising an earlier figure of more than 200 launches. Hagari said 170 drones and 30 cruise missiles were launched, none of which entered Israeli territory, adding that 110 ballistic missiles were also fired and few of them reached Israel.
The Iranian army said Sunday its drone and missile attack on Israel, in retaliation for a deadly strike on Iran’s Damascus consulate, has “achieved all its objectives”.
“Operation Honest Promise… was completed successfully from last night to this morning and achieved all its objectives”, Mohammad Bagheri, the Iranian armed forces’ chief of staff, told state TV. Iran has said it had attacked Israel in “self-defence” following the April 1 strike on its diplomatic mission in Damascus, which was widely blamed on Israel.
We see this operation as complete, and this operation has ended in our opinion,” Bagheri said. “There is no intention to continue this operation,” he said, calling on Israel to avoid taking further action against Iran which according to Bagheri would result in a “much bigger” response.
Responses by the World
- The US, the UK, Canada, Germany, Denmark, Norway, the Czech Republic, Argentina and Paraguay all condemn Iran’s attack, as do UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrel.
- US President Joe Biden and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken both repeat their message that America’s commitment to Israel’s security against Iran is “ironclad,” while British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the UK would “continue to stand up for Israel’s security.”
- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada “unequivocally condemns Iran’s airborne attacks against Israel,” adding, “We support Israel’s right to defend itself and its people from these attacks.”
- Germany’s foreign minister expresses solidarity with Israel, as does Argentinan President Javier Milei whose office said it “expresses its solidarity and unwavering commitment to the State of Israel.”
- An unnamed spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry says merely that “China expresses deep concern over the current escalation” and called on “relevant parties” to refrain from “further escalations.”
- Chile’s foreign minister says the country “condemns the use of force” but does not explicitly condemn Iran, while Mexico’s foreign ministry “expresses deep concern over Iran’s attack” but likewise does not directly condemn Tehran.
- Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says merely that the government is “following events in the Middle East with the deepest concern” and says its embassies will remain open “to support Spaniards in the area.”
Conducted on the strength of Article 51 of the UN Charter pertaining to legitimate defense, Iran’s military action was in response to the Zionist regime’s aggression against our diplomatic premises in Damascus. The matter can be deemed concluded. However, should the Israeli…
— Permanent Mission of I.R.Iran to UN, NY (@Iran_UN) April 13, 2024
India issues its first response
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday (April 14) expressed serious concern at the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran. “We are seriously concerned at the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran which threatens the peace and security in the region. We call for immediate de-escalation, exercise of restraint, stepping back from violence and return to the path of diplomacy. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation. Our embassies in the region are in close touch with Indian community,” it said in an official readout.
Statement on the situation in West Asia:https://t.co/kpJzqwTVWC pic.twitter.com/cSbJQrAjCC
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) April 14, 2024
The Indian embassy in Israel on Sunday urged its citizens living there to stay calm and adhere to the safety protocols issued by the local authorities as Iran launched explosive drones and missiles in its first direct attack on Israeli territory. The embassy said it was closely monitoring the situation and was in touch with both the authorities and the diaspora members to ensure the safety of Indian citizens.
17 Indian crew on the ship held by Iran
Iranian commandos Saturday seized an Israeli-affiliated container ship carrying 17 Indian crew members, the latest escalation in West Asia’s spiralling tension. A source in New Delhi said: “We are aware that a cargo ship ‘MSC Aries’ has been taken control by Iran. We have learnt that there are 17 Indian nationals onboard. We are in touch with the Iranian authorities through diplomatic channels, both in Tehran and in Delhi, to ensure security, welfare and early release of Indian nationals.”
Other turn of events
- Shares on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange decline moderately
- Jordan reopened its airspace after closing it late on Saturday
- After seven hours, Israel reopened its airspace as of 7:30 a.m. (0430 GMT), the country’s airports authority says after an overnight attack by hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones.
- No decision was made about an Israeli response to the Iranian missile and drone attack at the situation assessment this morning, an Israeli official tells The Times of Israel.
Hamas reacts“We in Hamas regard the military operation conducted by the Islamic Republic of Iran a natural right and a deserved response on the crime of targeting the Iranian consulate in Damascus and the assassination of several leaders of the Revolutionary Guards,” the terror group says in a statement. |