Iran attacks Israel with dozens of drones

The Middle East has been plunged deeper into uncharted waters after Iran launched dozens of missiles from its territory toward Israel in an unprecedented five-hour strike starting late Saturday.

Iran’s foreign ministry said the attack was in retaliation to a deadly Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, earlier this month.

But Israel’s military said “99%” of the more than 300 projectiles fired by Iran were intercepted by Israel and its “partners”. There have been no reports of injuries suffered directly through Iranian strikes, according to Israel’s emergency service.

An anti-missile system operates after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel April 14, 2024. REUTERS/Amir Cohen TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

President Joe Biden has made clear the US will not participate in any offensive operations against Iran, according to a senior administration official. But he said Washington’s commitment to Israel’s security against Iranian threats remains “ironclad.”

US forces intercepted more than 70 drones and at least three ballistic missiles, according to US officials. The US assessment is that Iran’s attacks had been largely unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, Israel is “working closely” with the US, UK and France, Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said, adding that all three “acted tonight” during the Iranian strikes.

“We are working closely with the US, UK and France who acted tonight. This partnership has always been close, but tonight it manifested itself in an unusual way,” Hagari said.