In a recent statement on Sunday, Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari downplayed the impact of Iranian missile strikes on an Israeli base, referring to the damage as “minor.”
This statement followed reports from Iran’s state media citing “heavy blows” inflicted on the base by their missiles.
Rear Admiral Hagari mentioned that “only a few missiles landed on Israeli territory, causing slight damage to a military base in the southern region, with minimal harm to the infrastructure.” His statement aimed to downplay the severity of the attack.
The official IRNA news agency had previously highlighted that the Kheibar missile successfully targeted what they described as the “most significant Israeli air base in the Negev.” They claimed that images and data indicated substantial damage inflicted on the base.
The air base in the Negev, as per IRNA, was allegedly utilized by Israel in attacking the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1. This event was cited as the reason for Iran’s retaliatory drone and missile strikes carried out early on Sunday.
Iranian state television asserted that half of the missiles launched from Iran at Israel had hit their intended targets, marking a significant success in their operation. Despite this, the Israeli army reported that the majority of the incoming missiles were intercepted but acknowledged that the attack was still ongoing.
UN chief condemns Iran's attack on Israel, calls for restraint
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the significant escalation caused by the widespread attack on Israel by Iran. In a statement, he emphasized the urgent need for an immediate halt to the ongoing hostilities.
Expressing deep concern over the potential for a widespread and catastrophic escalation in the region, Guterres urged all parties involved to exercise utmost restraint. He cautioned against actions that could spark significant military conflicts across various fronts in the Middle East.
Emphasizing the critical need to avoid another war, the Secretary-General reiterated the grave consequences that further conflicts would have on both the region and the global community.
Trump Criticizes Biden Over Iran's Attack on Israel, Citing American "Weakness"
Former US President Donald Trump criticized his election opponent, Joe Biden, regarding Iran’s assault on Israel during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
Trump expressed his concerns, stating, “God bless the people of Israel. They are under attack right now. That’s because we show great weakness.”
Kurdistan Regional Airports Halt Operations Amid Regional Unrest"
In response to heightened military tensions in the region and turmoil in Iraqi airspace, both Erbil and Sulaimaniyah airports have ceased flight operations.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) made the announcement on April 14, 2024, following the Iraqi Ministry of Transportation’s decision to suspend all flights.
The suspension comes amidst escalating conflict, highlighted by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards launching a drone and missile strike in retaliation for an Israeli assault on the Iranian consulate in Syria.
White House: Iran's drone attack to "unfold over a number of hours"
According to a statement from National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson on Saturday, the White House has indicated that Iran’s drone attack on Israel is expected to continue over an extended period of time.
In response to this imminent threat, the United States has reaffirmed its commitment to stand by Israel and provide assistance in countering the aggression from Tehran.
Iran's military conducts drone strikes directly on Israel: Israel's army
Iran has reportedly responded to an attack on its embassy in Syria by launching a drone assault on Israel, according to Israeli media sources.
The use of drones in this attack indicates a highly organized operation that would have taken several hours to cover the significant distance between the two countries.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have refrained from providing an immediate response or official statement on the incident, leaving the public and the international community in anticipation of an official confirmation or any subsequent action.
This drone attack has emerged amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, triggered by the recent tragic killing of seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including two high-ranking generals, in Damascus, Syria, just days ago.
Having previously issued threats of retaliation, Iran’s actions now demonstrate a noticeable escalation in the ongoing conflict between these two influential regional powers.
Israel warns Iran against escalation of conflict
Israel warned on Saturday that Iran would suffer the “consequences for choosing to escalate the situation any further” as anxiety over a wider conflict grows amid Israel’s more than six-month war with Hamas in Gaza.
The warning comes after Iran seized a container ship linked to Israel in the Gulf and the US announced it is sending more troops to the region.
The White House has repeatedly warned Tehran against staging a potentially imminent attack on Israel in response to an air strike that hit a diplomatic building in Damascus on April 1.
Tehran has vowed revenge for the strike which killed 16 people, including two generals.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards seized a container ship “related” to Israel in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, which is now moving toward Iranian waters, according to state media.
The ship’s operator, Swiss-Italian group MSC, said it was working with the authorities to ensure the safety of the ship’s crew of 25.
Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari warned, “Iran will bear the consequences for choosing to escalate the situation any further.”
An advisor to Iran’s supreme leader said Israel was in “complete panic” over Tehran’s response.
“They don’t know what Iran wants to do, so they and their supporters are terrified,” said senior advisor Yahya Rahim.
