Iran launches over 100 explosive drones toward Israel in first ever direct attack

Iran has fired more than 100 explosive drones toward Israel igniting fears of region-wide war.

It is Tehran’s first-ever direct attack on Israel’s soil, the Israeli military said, which comes amid escalating tensions following the six month war in Gaza. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirmed the strike on Saturday night, which they have dubbed ‘Operation True Promise’, adding that it had also launched missiles against specific targets in Israel.

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Iran had warned of retaliation for an Israeli strike on its Damascus consulate on 1 April that killed seven Guards officers, among them two senior commanders.

Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the consulate attack. Iranian state media reported ballistic missiles were also involved in Saturdays’ unprecedented attack – a claim the Israeli military would not confirm yet.

Neighbouring Jordan declared a state of emergency following the launch and has closed its airspace. The Israeli military warned that there would likely be several “waves of drones” following the first salvo which Iraqi security sources said were seen flying over the country from Iran.

“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,” said Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, Israel’s military spokesperson.

“Together with our partners, the Israel Defense Forces is operating at full-force to defend the State of Israel and the people of Israel. This is a mission that we are determined and ready to fulfill.”

Another Israeli military official told reporters that they expected the drones to reach Israeli soil “in the following hours” and there may be “more waves of drones” through the night.

The same military official said that Israel agreed a joint operational plan and that they were coordinating with United States Central Command (Centcom). US Centcom chief General Erik Kurilla visited Israel two days ago to discuss these plans.

“There are tens of aircraft in Israel’s skies at this time. We have conducted some GPS scrambling. We will do our best to intercept them before they reach Israel,” the official added.

Israeli Channel 12 said missiles Iran had launched would likely strike sooner but that some missiles and drones had been shot down over Syria or Jordan, sparking concerns about the safety of civilians in the region.

“Obviously everybody between here and Tehran is being impacted by what’s happened over over the last few hours,” the Israeli official added. “It’s a regional regional threat. The turmoil that Iran has caused this evening is unprecedented.”

Benjamin Netanyahu’s war room after Iran launched drone strikes on Israel (Supplied)

Iran’s mission to the United Nations said on X, formerly known as Twitter that the attack was “legitimate defence” for the attack on its consulate in Damascus.

It said “the matter can be deemed concluded” unless Israel strikes again. It warned the US to “stay away”. U.S. President Joe Biden, who on Friday warned Iran against attacking Israel after saying such a scenario appeared imminent, has pledged to stand with its ally  against Iran, the White House said.

The Israeli military would not confirm how many US aircraft were in the skies involved in interceptions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at the Kirya in Tel Aviv, convened the War Cabinet.

In a statement to the Israeli people on Saturday night, Mr Netanyahu said: “In recent years, and especially in recent weeks, Israel has been preparing for a direct attack by Iran.

“Our defensive systems are deployed; we are ready for any scenario, both defensively and offensively. The State of Israel is strong. The IDF is strong. The public is strong.

“We appreciate the US standing alongside Israel, as well as the support of Britain, France and many other countries. We have determined a clear principle: Whoever harms us, we will harm them. We will defend ourselves against any threat and will do so level-headedly and with determination.”

Israel’s military put the northern part of the occupied Golan Heights as well as Nevatim, Dimona and Eilat on standby for possible impact from Iranian drone launches early on Sunday, instructing residents to stay close to bomb shelters. Its Home Guard said there will be no educational activity throughout the country. Also, gatherings of over 1,000 people are prohibited.

Multiple neighbouring countries have closed their airspaces following the launch of the attack, including Lebanon and Jordan.

The Israeli prime minister personal plane launched ‘for operational reasons’ (AP)

Syria has put its Russian-made Pantsir ground-to-air defence systems around the capital Damascus and major bases on high alert in the event of an Israeli strike, army sources said. They said they expected Israel would retaliate against army bases and installations where pro-Iranian militia were based, following the drone strike.

Iran’s attack comes after months of ratcheting tensions in the region over Israel’s war in Gaza reached new levels last week, as Iran vowed retaliation for a strike that killed senior Iranian military officers in its embassy compound in Damascus, for which Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility.

The White House said on Saturday that Joe Biden had cut short his weekend plans to confer with national security advisers, a day after the US president warned Iran against attacking Israel – but said such a scenario could be imminent.

Hours later, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards seized a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, saying the vessel was linked to Israel, as Jordan declared its airspace closed, in a possible precautionary move given the likelihood of its territory being overflown by any missiles exchanged by Iran and Israel.

On Saturday night Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 TV reported that Iran had launched dozens of pilotless aircraft, with retired general Amos Yadlin claiming to the broadcaster that the drones were equipped with 20 kg of explosives each.

An IDF spokesperson confirmed prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plane was airborne for “operational reasons”.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had threatened to attack Israel (AP)

In a broadcast statement, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said: “We are going to try and prevent them from reaching Israeli territory. That is our task. If they do enter Israeli airspace, you will hear sirens and alarms wherever these threats enter and we will intercept them.”

“If there is a different type of threat on a different timetable we will inform you immediately on all platforms.”

He added: “The IDF is well-prepared. All of its elements, both on the defensive and on the offensive, are prepared. We have prepared for diverse scenarios in advance.

“We operate in close collaboration with the US and our other partners in the region. In order to intersect these launches, we have the circles of protection from both the Navy and the Air Force on several layers, and we have additional circles of protection from the US military.

“We have an excellent air defence system and it is now in full operation, but you must remember it is never 100 per cent.”

A video purported to show the Iranian helicopter raid on the cargo ship MSC Aries near the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday (AP)

More follows on this developing news story…

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