Live Update: Iran STRIKES Israel; Explosions Seen Over Parts of Jerusalem Amid Air Sirens Around Israel
Live Update: Iran STRIKES Israel; Explosions Seen Over Parts of Jerusalem Amid Air Sirens Around Israel
Iran has launched direct attack from Iranian soil: Israeli military
Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari has issued a statement in which he said: “We are closely monitoring Iranian killer drones that are en route to Israel sent by 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”.
‘The malicious Zionist regime will be punished’: Khamenei
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, made the statement in a post on X alongside a video in which he stated that the Israeli “regime” is all “malice, evil and error”.
Syria puts ground-to-air defence systems around capital, major bases on high alert: Report
Reuters, citing army sources, reports that Syria has put its Russian-made Pantsir ground-to-air defence systems on high alert around the capital Damascus and major bases in the event of Israeli strikes.
The sources said they expected Israel would respond to any attack from Iran by targeting army bases and installations where pro-Iranian militia are based.
Sunak condemns Iran’s attack against Israel
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has condemned Iran’s attack on Israel as “reckless”, adding that the UK would “continue to stand up for Israel’s security”.
“Alongside our allies, we are urgently working to stabilise the situation and prevent further escalation. No one wants to see more bloodshed,” Sunak said in a statement.
Iran fired missiles at Israel, U.S. official says
A U.S. official confirmed that Iran fired missiles at Israel and that the U.S. military is trying to shoot down Iranian missiles and drones bound for Israel.
The U.S. has shot down several Iranian drones but does not have confirmation that it has successfully shot down missiles.
U.S. politicians weigh in on Iran attack against Israel
After Iran launched hundreds of drones in an attack on Israel, House Speaker Mike Johnson said, “America must show our full resolve to stand with our critical ally.”
Johnson, R-La., said Israel is not alone and assured he will work with the White House “to insist on a proper response.”
He also called out the Biden administration, placing some blame on it for the attack.
“The Biden administration’s undermining of Israel and appeasement of Iran have contributed to these terrible developments,” Johnson said.
Other politicians reiterated Israel’s right to defend itself against such an attack and pledged U.S. support.
Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the U.S. commitment to Israel is “unwavering.”
“This is the moment for the United States to show we stand together with our allies,” the senator said. “Our shared enemies, including Iran and their proxies, need to know our commitment is unwavering.”
Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations committee, said in a statement to NBC News that “Israel has an inherent right to defend itself against these attacks from Iran and its proxies — before, during, and after they occur.”
Cardin, somewhat opposing Johnson’s stance, said he supports President Joe Biden’s “iron-clad commitment to Israel’s security” and thanked his administration for taking what he said were necessary steps in recent days to support Israel as it prepared for an attack from Iran.
He reiterated that “the United States will continue to stand with Israel” and cautioned “Iranian regime leaders to not widen this already ill-conceived attack. Such escalation, especially targeting U.S. personnel and assets, should be dealt with swiftly and decisively.”
Others warned the attack could be far more extensive than it was initially thought to be.
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said on X, “The attack on #Israel by the regime in Iran is going to be more extensive than initially expected.”
So far, the U.S. has intercepted some drones launched at Israel and is working to do the same for incoming missiles.
U.K. moves resources to Middle East to ‘encourage de-escalation’ of attacks
The U.K. is moving Royal Air Force jets and air refueling tankers to the Middle East “to encourage de-escalation and prevent further attacks,” the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
The statement said the jets from the U.K. will intercept airborne attacks near existing missions by the country.
“We will continue to cooperate closely with our regional partners in the interest of de-escalation,” the ministry statement said.
Biden meets with national security team
President Joe Biden said in a post on X this evening that he met with his national security team to discuss Iran’s attack against Israel.
Biden cut short a trip to Delaware to return to the White House today.
(With Inputs From Agencies)