TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Iran launched explosive drones and fired missiles at Israel late on Saturday, April 13, 2024, in its first direct attack on Israeli territory, escalating the risk of a broader regional conflict, as the U.S reaffirmed unwavering support for Israel.

Sirens blared and explosions were reported by local media describing it as aerial interceptions of explosive drones. Authorities reported a 7-year-old girl critically injured.

U.S. President Joe Biden, after speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, announced plans to convene a meeting of leaders from the Group of Seven major economies on Sunday, April 14, 2024, to coordinate a diplomatic response to Iran's aggressive move.

Six months into a conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, and amid mounting tensions of a wider regional war, a senior White House official mentioned to news outlet Axios that Biden also cautioned Netanyahu against Israeli retaliation.

The UN Security Council was slated to meet on Sunday following Israel's request to denounce Iran's attack and designate the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.

Israel's military spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, disclosed that Iran launched numerous ground-to-ground missiles at Israel, most of which were intercepted outside Israeli borders, including over 10 cruise missiles.

Hagari stated that the Iranian assault, comprising over 200 drones and missiles, caused minor damage to an Israeli military facility.

Subsequently, the Israeli military rescinded earlier advisories for residents to seek shelter, suggesting the diminished threat.

Unnamed Israeli officials indicated a significant response to the attack was imminent.

Iran had promised retaliation for what it deemed an Israeli strike on its Damascus consulate on April 1, resulting in the deaths of seven Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officers. Tehran labeled its strike a response to "Israeli crimes," though Israel neither confirmed nor denied responsibility.

The Iranian mission to the United Nations warned against further Israeli actions, asserting that Iran considered the matter resolved but vowed severe consequences for any Israeli provocation.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin affirmed America's commitment to Israel's defense while emphasizing a preference for avoiding conflict with Iran.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned Iran's attack, expressing deep concern about the potential for a widespread escalation.

Russian Deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy disclosed that both Israel and Iran had submitted letters to the Security Council, with Iran asserting its attack was within the UN Charter framework of self-defense.

Biden, who had previously cautioned Iran against such actions, expedited his return to Washington to meet with his national security team, pledging solidarity with Israel.

"Our commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iran and its proxies is unwavering," Biden affirmed.

The Gaza conflict, which began with an attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, has escalated tensions across the region, spilling over into confrontations with Lebanon and Syria and prompting long-range attacks on Israeli targets from Yemen and Iraq.

Reports also emerged of drone launches against Israel by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group, according to British maritime security company Ambrey.

These clashes pose the risk of evolving into a direct confrontation between Iran and its regional allies against Israel, supported by the United States, prompting calls for restraint from regional power Egypt.

While Israel and Iran have long been adversaries, their conflict has historically been through proxies or targeting each other's forces in third countries.

U.S. and British warplanes reportedly intercepted Israel-bound drones over the Iraq-Syria border, with the U.S. military downing numerous drones and missiles destined for Israel.

Biden announced the deployment of additional aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the region over the past week to bolster defense efforts.

TENSION RISING

In response, Netanyahu convened Israel's war cabinet, while Israel and Lebanon closed their airspace and Jordan prepared air defenses against potential threats.

Syria, an Iranian ally, heightened its ground-to-air defenses around its capital and key bases.

The European Union, Britain, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Norway all condemned Iran's attack.

At a rally in Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump criticized Biden's handling of the situation, attributing the attacks to perceived weakness.

Amid anticipation of Iranian retaliation for the Damascus consulate strike, Hezbollah, Iran's ally in Lebanon, claimed to have launched rockets at an Israeli base early Sunday.

REUTERS

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