In a significant escalation of tensions, Iran launched its first-ever direct attack on Israel, firing a barrage of drones and missiles toward the country. The attack comes just days after an airstrike on Iran’s embassy in Damascus, raising concerns of a major crisis in the already volatile Middle East region, which is grappling with the ongoing war in Gaza.
The United States swiftly reaffirmed its unwavering support for Israel’s security, with President Joe Biden confirming that US military assets were deployed to the region to aid Israel in thwarting the attack.
“At my direction, to support the defense of Israel, the U.S. military moved aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the region over the course of the past week,” President Biden stated in a released statement. “Thanks to these deployments and the extraordinary skill of our servicemembers, we helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles.”
Meanwhile, India expressed serious concern over the escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran, urging for immediate de-escalation and a return to diplomatic solutions.
According to Israel’s army spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the attack involved over 200 drones, ballistic, and cruise missiles launched by Iran. While most of the projectiles were intercepted by Israel’s defense system, there were reports of injuries and damage, including to a military base.
Iran justified the attack as a response to what it termed “Israeli crimes,” particularly referencing the recent attack on its embassy in Damascus that resulted in the deaths of several Iranian elite officers. The Iranian mission to the United Nations warned of further retaliation if Israel persisted in its actions.
International condemnation poured in swiftly, with leaders from countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and the European Union denouncing Iran’s aggression. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, emphasizing the urgent need to prevent further escalation in the region.
The situation remains tense as Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to defend his country against any threat, while affirming appreciation for the support from the United States and other allies.
As the world watches with apprehension, efforts are underway to stabilize the situation and prevent further bloodshed in the volatile region.
