Iran launches a drone towards Israel.’Most’ of missiles intercepted – Boston 25 News

The attack marked the first time Iran launched a direct military attack against Israel. AP report.

The United Nations Security Council meets on Sunday

The newspaper said the meeting was requested in a letter by Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan.

“The attack is a serious and dangerous escalation,” Erdan wrote.

US Secretary of Defense Austin meets with Israeli side

Updated April 13th at 8:52pm EDT: U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke by phone with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, according to their statements.

Austin said: his statement “Israel can count on the full support of the United States to protect it from any attack by Iran and its regional proxies,” Upa reportedly told Gallant.

In a statement, Gallant said he briefed Austin on “Israel’s defense operations in the face of Iranian attack and stressed that our defense posture is prepared for further attack attempts against the State of Israel.” new york times report.

Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau condemns Iran attack

Updated April 13th at 8:23pm EDT: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has condemned Iran’s attack on Israel. washington post. Prime Minister Trudeau said the attack will further destabilize the region and make peace efforts more difficult.

“These attacks demonstrate once again the Iranian regime’s disregard for regional peace and stability,” Prime Minister Trudeau said in a statement. “We support Israel’s right to defend itself and its people from these attacks.”

‘Most’ of the missiles were intercepted, IDF spokesman says

Updated April 13th at 8:16pm EDT: At a press conference early Sunday morning, Israeli Defense Forces spokesman Maj. Gen. Daniel Hagari confirmed that more than 200 different missiles, including drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles, had been fired from Iraq toward Israel.

“We have already intercepted most of it,” Hagari said, adding that Israel “was receiving support” from several allies.

“Our aircraft are still intercepting targets. We are prepared for any threats that may come against Israel,” Hagari said. “We will do whatever it takes to protect the state of Israel.”

Hagari said the airstrike caused light damage to Israeli military bases, but he did not name them. new york times report.

Hagari added that “only one girl” had been injured so far, but did not provide further details.

Iran promises ‘stern response’ if US attacks Iranian interests

Updated April 13th at 8:08pm EDT: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned the US not to support Israel. new york times report.

“We warn the US terrorist regime that any support or participation in attacking Iranian interests will receive a fierce response from the Iranian Armed Forces,” the organization’s second statement said.

Biden: Commitment to Israel is ‘ironclad’

Updated April 13th at 7:52pm EDT: President Joe Biden posted on social media about his meeting with National Security Council advisers.

“I just met with my national security team to get the latest information on Iran’s attack on Israel,” the president said. X, formerly known as Twitter. “Our commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iran and its proxies is resolute.”

Britain prepares to intercept drones

Updated April 13th at 7:40pm EDT: British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said: statement It said additional British jets and aerial refueling tankers had been deployed to supplement existing operations in Iraq and Syria. He added that British warplanes would “intercept” airborne attacks within the scope of their missions in these areas.

US military intercepts and shoots down Iranian drone

Updated April 13th at 7:11pm EDT: American forces intercepted and shot down a drone launched by Iran toward Israel. Associated Press report.

Two U.S. officials also confirmed the wiretaps. CNN However, he did not say where the attack occurred or how many people were killed.

“In keeping with our firm commitment to Israel’s security, U.S. forces in the region continue to shoot down Iranian-launched drones targeting Israel,” a U.S. official said, according to the news agency. CNN and new york times. “Our military remains ready to provide additional defense support and protect U.S. forces operating in the region.”

Iran: ‘The problem can be considered resolved’

Updated April 13th at 6:59pm EDT: Iran said the attack on Israel was a response to Israel’s attack on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus. Officials said, “This issue can be considered closed.” CNN report.

Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York said the attack early Sunday morning was a response to Israel’s “attack on our diplomatic facilities in Damascus.”

Air raid siren sounds in Jerusalem

Updated April 13th at 6:53pm EDT: Just before 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, air raid sirens and loud noises were heard in Jerusalem. new york times report.

Israel’s air raid warning system sounded the alarm in southern Israel, the West Bank and the Golan Heights, the paper said.

France condemns drone launch

Updated April 13th at 6:33pm EDT: France on Saturday condemned Iran’s attack on Israel “in the strongest possible terms”. new york times report.

French Foreign Minister Stephane Séjournet said: “By taking such unprecedented actions, Iran has crossed a new threshold for destabilizing behavior and is putting itself at risk of military escalation.” Xformerly known as Twitter.

Iranian state media reported that a ballistic missile was fired towards Israel.

Updated April 13th at 6:01pm EDT: Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported that a ballistic missile was fired towards Israel. Associated Press and CNN report.

meanwhile, new york timesCiting information from real-time aircraft flight tracking tool Flightradar24, it said that airspace in Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq are all closed.

Drones and cruise missiles could target the Golan Heights

Updated April 13th at 5:47pm EDT: Members of Israeli intelligence said drone and cruise missile launches were detected from Iran and Iraq. new york times report.

The target areas are likely to be Israeli air bases in the Golan Heights and the Negev desert, the newspaper said, citing two Israeli officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military information.

IDF: More than 100 unmanned drones launched

Updated April 13th at 5:43pm EDT: The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that more than 100 unmanned drones were launched into Israel. washington post report.

Earlier, Iranian state media reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had launched “dozens of drones and missiles” into the country, the newspaper said.

Lebanon temporarily closes airspace

Updated April 13th at 5:36pm EDT: Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Works and Transport announced the temporary closure of Lebanon’s airspace to all takeoff, landing, and transit aircraft following news that an Iranian drone was launched toward Israel. CNN report.

The ministry said in a statement that the closure is a precautionary measure and will be in effect from 1 a.m. local time until 7 a.m. Sunday.

Biden returns to the White House

Updated April 13th at 5:32pm EDT: President Joe Biden returned to the White House at 5:02 p.m. EDT, and officials said he would meet with the National Security Council “soon.” new york times report.

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was meeting with his war cabinet, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office.

Iraq airspace closed

Updated April 13th at 5:14pm EDT: Iraq’s Civil Aviation Authority announced the temporary closure of the country’s airspace to all arriving, arriving and passing aircraft from 11:30 pm local time until 5:30 am Sunday. CNN report.

Officials said the closure was a precautionary measure.

Iran confirms drone launch

Updated April 13th at 4:56pm EDT: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced in a statement broadcast on state television that Iran had launched missile and drone attacks on Israel. new york times report.

“The Aerospace Forces of the Revolutionary Guards has deployed dozens of drones and aircraft in response to the crimes of the Zionist regime, such as the attack on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus and the martyrdom of our commander and military advisor in Syria. The missiles attacked targets inside Israel,” the statement said.

Israel plans to close airspace

Updated April 13th at 4:46pm ET: Israel will close its airspace to international and domestic air traffic from 12:30 a.m. local time on Sunday, according to a statement from the Israel Airports Authority. new york times report.

White House: “The United States supports Israel”

Updated April 13th at 4:41pm EDT: The White House said the United States supports Israel.

“Iran has launched an airborne attack against Israel,” National Security Council spokesman Adrian Watson said. statement. “President Biden receives regular updates on the situation from his national security team and is scheduled to meet with them this afternoon at the White House. His team remains in constant communication with Israeli officials and other partners and allies. This attack can unfold over several hours.

“President Biden has made clear that our support for Israel’s security is unwavering. The United States stands with the Israeli people and helps Israel defend itself against the threat of Iran.”

Original report: President Joe Biden cut short a beach weekend in Delaware on Saturday to return to the White House and meet with staff. washington post report.

Early Saturday morning, Iranian forces seized a container ship linked to Israel in the Persian Gulf. According to reports, this appears to be in retaliation for an Israeli airstrike on the Syrian capital Damascus on April 1 that killed several Iranian military officers. new york times.

Iran accused Israel of being behind the attack and vowed retaliation, the newspaper said. AP. Israel has not commented on the attack.

Hagari told reporters in a video conference that Iran “launched a drone from its own territory into the territory of the State of Israel.” times report.

He added that the Israeli military was monitoring the threat.

According to the newspaper, the United States, Israel and Iran put their militaries on high alert after the April 1 airstrike. times.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Saturday that the Israeli military is restricting large gatherings and educational activities. post report.

“We are determined to protect our people from this attack, and we will know how to respond to it,” Gallant said in a statement.

Gallant said he met with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday “to discuss urgent threats in the region,” the newspaper reported, citing a Pentagon call.