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Part of the 2024 Iran–Israel conflict, Iran–Israel conflict during the Syrian civil war, and spillover of the Israel–Hamas war | |||||||
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1 Israeli civilian critically injured by shrapnel;[30] at least 31 others treated for minor injuries or anxiety[31][32][33] |
On 13 April 2024, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), a branch of the Iranian military—in coordination with the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces,[34] Lebanese group Hezbollah, and the Yemeni Houthis —launched hundreds of airstrikes, codenamed Operation True Promise (Persian: وعده صادق, romanized: va'de-ye sādeq),[35][36], against Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights,[note 1] with drones, and cruise and ballistic missiles.[37] The operation was in retaliation against the Israeli airstrike on the Iranian embassy in Damascus on 1 April that killed 16 people[38] and drew widespread reactions from states and international organizations. It was Iran's first direct attack on Israel since the start of the Iran–Israel proxy conflict.[39]
Several countries in the Middle East[note 2] closed their airspace a few hours before Iran launched a massive standoff attack against Israel around midnight 13 April 2024. Iran's attack involved around 170 drones, over 30 cruise missiles, and more than 120 ballistic missiles. Israel used Arrow 3 and David's Sling systems to shoot down the incoming weapons.[40][41] The American, British, French and Jordanian air forces and navy helped to shoot down Iranian drones.[8][42][43] France, which intervened at the request of Jordan,[44] deployed its navy to provide radar coverage.[7] Jordan stated that it had intercepted objects flying into its airspace to ensure its citizens' safety.[45]
Israel said that 99 percent of the drones and missiles were shot down by the coalition under Operation Iron Shield,[46][47][48][49] most before entering Israeli airspace;[50] while a US official said that at least nine Iranian missiles had struck two Israeli airbases causing minor damage.[27] Iran's claim, according to state-owned network Press TV, is that all of the hypersonic missiles used by Iran in the attack successfully hit their targets after evading Israel's air defense systems.[51][better source needed] Some of the ballistic missiles were shot down in space by the Arrow system.[52] Early information was that only a few missiles were not shot down; one caused minor damage to the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel, which remained operational.[53][54][55] In Israel, one child, a 7-year-old Israeli Bedouin girl, was struck and injured by part of a missile.[30] Thirty-one other people either suffered minor injuries while rushing to protected areas, or were treated for anxiety.[31] Jordan reported some shrapnel falling on its territory, causing no significant damage or injuries.[53][54] The next day, Iran's envoy to the United Nations said that the attacks "can be deemed concluded".[56]
The attack was the largest drone strike in history,[57][58] intended to saturate anti-missile defences, and the first time since the 1991 Iraqi attacks that Israel was attacked directly by the military of another state.[59] Iran's attacks have drawn criticism from the United Nations, several world leaders, and political analysts, who warned that they risk escalating into a full-blown regional war.[60][61][62][63]
Main articles: Israeli bombing of the Iranian embassy in Damascus and Israel–Hamas war |
For broader coverage of this topic, see Iran–Israel proxy conflict. |
On 7 October 2023, Hamas, a militant organization supported by Iran, carried out an attack in southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people.[64] Israel responded by launching the ongoing Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip, which, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, has resulted in the deaths of more than 33,000 people so far. Iran has accused Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians of Gaza.[65][66]
After 7 October, the Iranian-backed proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon began attacking northern Israel.[67] There have been over 4,400 violent incidents recorded between Hezbollah and Israel since the start of the war,[68] and about 100,000 Israelis have been evacuated from northern Israel since the beginning of the conflict.[69]
On 1 April 2024, the Iranian consulate annex building adjacent to the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, was struck by an Israeli airstrike, killing 16 people, including Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior Quds Force commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and seven other IRGC officers. Soon after the attack, Iran vowed revenge,[70] with reports suggesting this as a potential motive for the airstrike.[71] Iran reported the building was part of the embassy compound, while Israel maintained it was a building used by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and located outside the fenced compound of the embassy.[72][73] Numerous countries and international organizations condemned the attack; the United States denied involvement or prior knowledge,[74] though Russia's representative in the UN has questioned this claim, calling it "surprising", noting that the US "always possesses information on any topic firsthand thanks to its intelligence capabilities".[75]
In the weeks following the attack on the consulate, the United States, France, Germany and the United Kingdom all warned Iran not to attack Israel, stating that such an attack would be a major escalation and could lead to a military response by the West against Iran.[76][77][78] Iran was warned by Israel that such an attack could lead to a direct Israeli military response on Iranian soil.[79] Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Kuwait have reportedly[according to whom?] taken steps to prevent the US from using its bases in their territories for a possible attack against Iran.[80][81] In early April 2024, Iran sent a message via the Swiss embassy (United States Interests Section in Iran) to the United States, threatening to attack the United States' military bases in the region in case of their support in a possible Israeli attack.[82][83][84] According to Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iran gave the regional countries hosting US military bases 72 hours' notice of the imminent attack.[85][86]
On the evening of 13 April 2024, Iran launched a drone and missile attack on Israel, targeting—among other unconfirmed trajectories—sites in the Golan Heights and Arad region and two airbases in the Negev desert.[37][87][88][89] The attack was named Operation True Promise[90] (Persian: وعده صادق, romanized: va'de-ye sādeq),[91] with the code name Ya Rasul Allah (یارسولالله(ص)).[28][note 3] It comprised more than 200 missiles and drones according to The Washington Post[87][88][93][94] and included ballistic missiles according to Iranian news agency IRNA.[95] Both CNN and Reuters later reported that more than 300 standoff weapons had been launched toward Israel.[46][47] An Israeli military spokesman specified that Iran had launched 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles, and 120 ballistic missiles.[48] According to IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari, approximately 350 rockets were launched at Israel from Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen.[96]
According to the Iranian Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri, the primary targets included the Nevatim Airbase from which Israel launched the attack on the Iranian consulate, as well as the intelligence center in the Israeli-occupied part of Mount Hermon that supplied the intelligence. The operation was limited to a retaliatory attack for the Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate.[97][98] Other targets included the Ramon Airbase in the south of Israel,[99] Tel Aviv, and Dimona, which is home to a nuclear facility.[100] According to IRGC's Tasnim News Agency, the tactic used consisted of saturating the Iron Dome and David's Sling with a first wave of hundreds of HESA Shahed 136 kamikaze drones to clear the way for dozens of ballistic missiles in the second wave.[101]
Hezbollah said it launched dozens of Grad rockets at an Israeli air defense site in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The group said the attack took place shortly after midnight local time.[2]
To prepare for the attack, Israel, alongside Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Kuwait, closed their airspace on 13 April; Iranian only closed its airspace to VFR flights,[102][103][104] and Egypt put its air defense on high alert.[105]
Israel used Arrow 3 and David's Sling systems to shoot down the incoming weapons,[40][41] and jammed electronic guidance systems to disrupt missile navigation.[106] Many drones were downed while flying over Syria.[107] Israel said that 99% of the weapons were successfully intercepted.[48]
At approximately 2:00 a.m. local time on 14 April, explosions were heard in Jerusalem, while air raid sirens sounded across Israel, the West Bank, and the Dead Sea. It is not known whether the explosions were interceptions by the Iron Dome or missile strikes.[108] Iranian missiles above the Al-Aqsa Mosque were intercepted.[109]
IDF jets struck military targets in southern Lebanon belonging to Hezbollah's Radwan forces.[110]
A former financial adviser to the IDF chief of staff, brigadier general Reem Aminoach, estimated that Israel had spent on the order of 4–5 billion shekels (US$1 to US$1.3 billion) to operate its defense systems against the strikes.[111] Iran is thought to have spent only about 10% of that amount to launch the attacks, according to Middle East Eye citing unnamed estimates.[112][clarification needed] According to The Wall Street Journal interviewing an Institute for National Security Studies researcher, Israel spent over $550 million to defend against the strikes.[113]
The United States, the United Kingdom, France and Jordan also used their own forces to intercept Iranian projectiles,[8][114][115] and France deployed its Navy to provide radar coverage.[7] An anonymous source from the Saudi royal family said that Saudi Arabia had automatically intercepted "any suspicious entity" violating its airspace.[116] According to The Wall Street Journal, Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had shared intelligence, which included radar tracking information, with the US and Israel prior to Iran’s drone attack.[117][118]
The head of United States Central Command (CENTCOM) went to Israel on 11 April, to coordinate air defenses.[119][120] CENTCOM reported late the following day that US forces destroyed more than 80 one-way attack drones and at least six ballistic missiles.[47] The US Navy warships involved were reported to be USS Carney (DDG-64) and USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) that are both based in the Mediterranean, according to CENTCOM, which also reported that US aircraft from land and sea bases participated.[121]
Royal Air Force Typhoon warplanes shot down an unspecified number of Iranian drones, as confirmed by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak; the aircraft were already operating in Syrian and Iraqi airspace as part of Operation Shader to counter Islamic State.[122][123] The United Kingdom also provided intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support.[124]
The Wall Street Journal, citing anonymous French officials, reported that France was deploying naval assets to assist Israel.[7] President Emmanuel Macron later stated that France had joined in intercepting Iranian drones at Jordan's request.[44]
Jordan lies between Iran and Israel and had readied its air defenses to intercept drones and missiles that violated its airspace.[125] Iran had warned Jordan against any possible action in support of Israel,[126] but Jordan opened its airspace for US and Israeli war planes nonetheless.[45] Residents in the capital Amman reported seeing flashes in the sky above the city.[127] In the city's Marj al Hamam area residents gathered around the remnants of a large drone that had been intercepted.[115] Haaretz reported that the Royal Jordanian Air Force had downed 20% of the drones launched from Iran.[128] Jordan stated that its military action was an act of self-defense in an effort to safeguard the nation's airspace, territory, and citizens. There was also criticism towards Jordan's intervention that characterized it as having protected Israel.[129]
Iran claimed that the saturation tactic using drones managed to defeat the Israeli air defense and damage the bases used in the attack on the Iranian consulate.[20][101][98] Iran claimed that significant damage was inflicted on both airbases and an intelligence base in the Golan Heights.[28] Tasnim published videos of targets being hit.[98]
A senior US official stated that five Iranian ballistic missiles struck the Nevatim Airbase, causing damage to a C-130 transport aircraft, an unused runway, and empty storage facilities. Additionally, four other ballistic missiles impacted the Ramon Airbase.[27]
There were no deaths but a number of injuries from the strikes were reported. A 7-year-old Bedouin girl was seriously injured by shrapnel from an interception in the Arad area.[30] At least 31 others were treated, either for minor injuries sustained from shrapnel while going to protected areas, or for anxiety.[31][33]
Hours after the beginning of the attacks, Iran's envoy to the United Nations stated that the retaliatory attack "can be deemed concluded", and that Iran will respond with "stronger and more resolute" actions if Israel were to "make another mistake". It also urged the US to stay away from the Iran–Israel conflict.[130][49][56] President Ebrahim Raisi said that Iran had taught a "lesson" to Israel through the attack as the Supreme Leader promised.[131] IRGC commander Hossein Salami called the attack a "more successful than expected" and threatened retaliation for any Israeli counterattack. The IRGC also threatened to prosecute down those expressing support for Israel online.[132][133][134] The Iranian government opened criminal investigations into several news outlets for their coverage of the strikes.[135]
Iraq, Jordan, and Israel reopened their airspace soon after the attacks were over.[136][137] At least two flights from Wizz Air and Royal Jordanian were diverted to Cyprus with over 700 passengers onboard.[138][139] The Cyprus Air Command alongside the two main airports on Cyprus were also placed on high alert as a result of the attack.[140]
The effective interception has led to an increase in the stock prices of Israeli defense firms, such as Elbit Systems, Aerodrome Group, NextVision, and Aryt Industries.[141]
Following the attacks, the Iranian economy experienced immediate adverse effects, with the national currency, the rial, plummeting to a new low against the dollar.[142]
Israel has vowed to retaliate against Iran.[143] According to Israeli sources, Israel planned to initiate its first steps in a ground offensive in Rafah during the week, but postponed it to consider their response to the Iranian strikes on Israel.[144] The Israeli war cabinet met on 15 April to consider a response to the attack. [145]
The Economist wrote that "the strike was militarily a flop", adding that Iran "may have miscalculated".[55]
According to CNN, the attack by Iran was "planned to minimize casualties while maximizing spectacle", and noted that Iranian drones and missiles went past Jordan and Iraq, both with US military bases, and all the air defenses before penetrating the airspace of Israel.[146]
Al Jazeera opined that Iran, in no longer relying solely on its proxies, launching its first attack on Israel from its own soil, its largest missile attack ever, and the largest drone strike in military history, has increased both its deterrence and its soft power in the wider Muslim world.[147]
The Jerusalem Post noted that the Iranian attack demonstrated that the events of 7 October did not undermine the Israel–Sunni regional alliance.[148]
The Wall Street Journal attributed Israel's to a combination of its "sophisticated air-defense system and critical assistance provided by the US and other Western and Arab partners."[50]
Dov Zakheim, a former undersecretary of defense in the George W. Bush administration, stated that "Iran is an existential threat in a way the Palestinian issue is not", thus bringing to the fore American deterrence vis-à-vis Iran.[149] John Bolton, however, called the attacks "a massive failure of Israeli and American deterrence"[150] and described Biden's disapproval of a possible counterattack as an embarrassment.[151]
The Times diplomatic editor Roger Boyes suggested that the attack "showed that Israel has only a limited self-sufficiency in security matters. It was dependent on US intelligence for the timing of the assault, for the location of many of the firing positions and on US, British and French assistance to help shoot down the incoming munitions". [152] According to The Times of Israel, Israel's capability of taking direct and comprehensive strategic action solely on its own initiative was henceforth constrained, and furthermore the calculus of deterrence throughout the region had been changed.[153] The more liberal Haaretz regarded America's assistance as, remarkably, its "most significant show of support in the history of Israeli-U.S. relations."[154]
The Institute for the Study of War analyzed that the attack was intended to cause immense damage but still below the threshold that would trigger a massive Israeli response but was not intended to fail. Thus, the ISW concluded that the Iranian attack was a failure. It also noted that the attack was identical to Russian strikes against Ukraine during the Russian invasion of Ukraine but on a much larger scale. ISW predicted that Iran will study the weaknesses of western air defense systems and share them with Russia alongside data on US-built aircraft and air-to-air missiles used for intercepting these missiles and drones which could be used against Ukraine, which relies on western air defenses and expect the delivery of F-16s which will most likely be used to intercept Russian attacks.[155]
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian declared that Iran does not welcome escalation, and the purpose of the Iranian operation was the exercise of the legitimate right of Iran for self-defense.[156] The Iranian government declared its reprisal against Israel a success and concluded.[157]
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said IDF halted the attack impressively.[158] Gallant stated that the attack was successfully repelled with the assistance of the United States and other countries. He emphasized the opportunity to form a strategic alliance to counter the serious and possibly nuclear threat posed by Iran.[159] Israel vowed "a significant response" to Iran's retaliation.[160]
Hamas said that the Iranian military operation against Israel was a "natural right and a deserved response" to the Israeli bombing of the Iranian consulate in Damascus and assassination of IRGC leaders there.[161] The Houthis said that the attacks were a legitimate response to the strike on Iran's consulate in Damascus.[162]
On 14 April, Jordanian Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh stated during a cabinet meeting that any regional escalation would lead to "dangerous paths", adding that all parties involved needed to de-escalate.[163] On the same day, the country's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi stated that Jordan would take "all necessary measures" to protect its sovereignty and security and that it will tackle threats facing its citizens.[164][165] Safadi stated that Jordan had summoned Iran's ambassador to protest "offensive statements" made in Iranian media, particularly about threats against Jordan being the next target if it joined in on the interceptions, calling it an interference in the country's internal affairs.[166] Safadi also added that Jordan would respond in the same way whether the threat came from Israel, Iran or any other country, and noted that the continuation of the Israel–Hamas war and instability in the West Bank would lead to further conflict, calling for a two state solution.[167] King Abdullah spoke with US President Joe Biden, stating that Jordan will not allow its land to become the center of a regional war.[168]
The strikes against Israel have further deepened the existing rift between the Iranian government and its citizens. There is a widespread concern among the Iranian public that the aggressive foreign policy pursued by the regime could lead to war. Public sentiment has been expressed through satire and cynicism regarding the effectiveness of the military actions, with comments circulating such as one that suggested the only result was that "a lot of Israelis died... laughing".[142]
In addition, anti-government expressions have appeared in the form of graffiti in Tehran, urging Israel to retaliate against Iran, with statements like "Hit them, Israel. Iranians are behind you." The Economist suggested that this level of internal discontent could represent a more significant threat to the regime's stability than external threats.[142]
Demonstrations broke out in cities across Iran and in the Gaza Strip[169] in support of the strikes.[170] The Front of Islamic Revolution Stability, a hardline Shia supremacist faction within Iran endorsed the attacks and put up banners across Tehran's billboards in Hebrew, telling Israelis to stock up on supplies in preparation to another attack.[142]
Canada and the United States both condemned the attack, and the United States said it would support Israel against Iran.[171][172] Saudi Arabia called for restraint, and said that the United Nations Security Council must take responsibility for maintaining peace and security in the region.[127]
On 14 April, protesters in Toronto cheered the airstrikes, chanting "Allahu Akbar!" A protest leader characterized the strikes as a response to Israeli airstrikes in the region, while Melissa Lantsman, a member of parliament, said that the chants showed "It was never about a ceasefire". Other chants included "Intifada, Intifada, long live the Intifada" and "From the water to the water, Palestine is Arab".[173]
One of the first leaders to respond to the attack was British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, stating: "The UK will continue to stand up for Israel's security and that of all our regional partners, including Jordan and Iraq."[174][175] The United Kingdom condemned the Iranian attack on Israel as "reckless".[176]
US President Joe Biden shortened a planned visit to Delaware and returned to the White House to meet with national security officials.[177] Biden called the intercepted attacks a win for Israel,[178][179] and committed to a unified diplomatic response from the G7.[180] The Embassy of the United States in Jerusalem posted a security alert urging its workers to seek shelter until further notice.[181] Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the United States would not back Israel in a possible future counterattack against Iran.[182][178] US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asked Israel to give the United States advanced notice if they planned to attack Iran.[183] Overall, the US president sought to prevent further escalation.[184]
On 13 April, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides called for an emergency meeting of the National Security Council which was held on 14 April to discuss the developments in the region.[185][186] Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack on Israel.[187] Furthermore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a precautionary measure enacted the "Estia" plan.[188][139]