Washington: Iran has initiated drone attacks against Israel, as confirmed by U.S. officials, intensifying the longstanding animosity between the two nations and heightening the risk of a potential regional conflict.
According to a statement from NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson, “Iran has begun an airborne attack against Israel. President Biden is being regularly updated on the situation by his national security team and will meet with them this afternoon at the White House. President Biden has been clear: our support for Israel’s security is ironclad. The United States will stand with the people of Israel and support their defense against these threats from Iran.”
IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari affirmed Israel’s commitment to collaborate closely with the U.S. and regional allies to intercept the launches, stating, “We are monitoring the threat in the airspace. It is a threat that takes several hours to reach the territory of the State of Israel.”
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Tensions between Iran and Israel have been mounting since the onset of the Gaza war in October, particularly escalating in recent weeks following Iran’s accusation against Israel for an attack on its consulate in Damascus on April 1.
Iranian leaders, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed retaliation against Israel for the Damascus strike, prompting reciprocal warnings from Israel. Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Israel Katz asserted, “If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will react and attack in Iran.”
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Anticipating Iranian actions, the White House had been in communication with Israel to ensure preparedness for potential strikes.
In a separate incident earlier on Saturday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard seized a Portuguese-flagged cargo ship with ties to Israel in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime route. The White House swiftly condemned the seizure, with National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson denouncing it as “a blatant violation of international law” and an “act of piracy” by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.
Amid escalating tensions, Israel announced measures to enhance security, including the closure of schools and restrictions on gatherings in certain areas beginning Sunday.
