Israel: We Shot Down More Than 200 Drones And Missiles Fired By Iran – IDF Says
Israel said it has weathered a huge barrage of over 200 missiles and drones launched by Iran last night which forced innocent civilians to flee to bomb shelters across the nation.
Iran sent salvo of missiles in response to a drone strike at the beginning of April in Syria that killed 12 Iranians, including two top generals.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said via state media that the aerospace unit of the Revolutionary Guards attacked targets in Israel with dozens of drones and missiles in reaction to the Zionist regime’s crimes, including the attack on the consulate section of Iran’s embassy in Damascus and martyring its commanders and military advisers in Syria.
The IRGC said missiles have begun to enter Israeli airspace, with video shared with MailOnline showing them being intercepted by the Iron Dome system above Jerusalem, forcing citizens to run to shelters across the city.
This was as sources on the ground said that alarms have still not been raised in Tel Aviv, Israel’s most populous city.
Iran claims to have dealt ‘heavy blows’ to an airbase in Negev, but, the IDF said only minor damage was caused, stressing that the vast majority of the missiles and drones were shot down, with one small girl being injured by falling shrapnel.
However, Iranian media reported that while Tehran’s barrage of ballistic missiles has been concluded, the drones and cruise missiles were yet to enter Israeli airspace, saying that Iran has vowed to take further ‘defensive measures’ if Israel chooses to respond to the salvo.
Yemen-based Houthis have also claimed to have shot ‘dozens’ of rockets towards an IDF base in the north-east of Israel even as it was not known if the Houthi attacks were linked to Iran’s salvo.
The UK, and other Israel’s close allies, have reportedly begun to support Israel by sending fighter jets to shoot down the drones and missiles. This was as US officials said that their military also intercepted drones and missiles heading to Israel.
The IDF’s spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said that the Iranian attack was ‘a severe and dangerous escalation’ in tensions, saying; “Our defensive and offensive capabilities are at the highest level of readiness ahead of this large-scale attack from Iran.
“The air defense array is on high alert at the same time as the Air Force planes and Navy ships that are on a mission to protect the country’s skies. The IDF is monitoring all targets,” it said.
Israel’s allies have begun to send in military assets to help Israel. This was as US Congressional sources say the amphibious war ship Bataan is leading a US naval task force in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Bataan has two support ships and together they have about 2,500 Marines on board. The US also has several guided missile destroyers including the Carney in the area.
Already, US bases in Iraq have been placed on full alert and will also attempt to shoot down missiles and drones aimed at Israel. In addition, the US has two destroyers and a Cruiser in the Red Sea that are fully armed with anti-missile weapons and they too are under orders to shoot down any Israeli bound missiles or drones.
But Iran has threatened the US if it gets involved in the spat, stressing that it is a conflict between Iran and Israel alone.
Iran’s mission to the UN wrote on X: “Conducted on the strength of Article 51 of the UN Charter pertaining to legitimate defense, Iran’s military action was in response to the Zionist regime’s aggression against our diplomatic premises in Damascus.
“The matter can be deemed concluded. However, should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe. It is a conflict between Iran and the rogue Israeli regime, from which the U.S. MUST STAY AWAY!”
Meanwhile, in a statement, Iran’s foreign ministry, said if necessary, Iran will not hesitate to take further defensive measures to safeguard its legitimate interests against any military aggressions and unlawful use of force while reaffirming its commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.
Israel is expected to launch a counterattack against Iran. Former IDF captain Caroline Glick told MailOnline: “Iran’s overthrow is the key to the restoration of regional stability”. Just last week, when a regime authority called for a moment of silence in memory of the Iranian terror masters Israel killed in Damascus two weeks ago, the crowd instead began calling for the overthrow of the regime.
