Name: Israel Thwarts Iran Attack, Weighs Response
Uploaded: 2024-04-15T21:04:18.000Z
Description: Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps said it launched 300 drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday from Iran and the locations of its regional proxies, in an attack that could lead to a major escalation between the regional archenemies.

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Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps said it launched 300 drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday from Iran and the locations of its regional proxies, in an attack that could lead to a major escalation between the regional archenemies.

Israel, the U.S. and allied forces intercepted 99 percent of the projectiles fired by Iran, Israel said.

The attack marks the first time that Iran has ever launched a direct military assault on Israel. Iran said the attack was in response to a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic building in Syria in early April.

The Israeli war cabinet is currently meeting the discuss a response to the attack. Iran warned any retaliation by Israel would lead to "decisive and much stronger response."

The White House said the United States would not participate in any retaliatory attack against Iran as it aims to de-escalate regional tensions.

A 10-year-old girl has been seriously injured due to falling debris in southern Israel, according to MDA, Israel’s national EMS ambulance service.

<em>Follow the live updates here: </em>
<h2>UN Security Council Holds Emergency Meeting on Iran Attack</h2>
The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting Sunday to discuss Iran’s attack on Israel. The meeting ended without any action by the council.

“Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate,” U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said. “Now is the time for maximum restraint.”

Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan told the council: “Last night, the world witnessed an unprecedented escalation that serves as the clearest proof for what happens when warnings aren’t heeded. Israel is not the boy who cried wolf.”

Iranian Ambassador Saeid Iravani said: “Iran’s operation was entirely in the exercise of Iran’s inherent right to self-defense. This concluded action was necessary and proportionate.”

U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood said after the meeting ended, “There has to be a Security Council response to what happened last night.”
<h2>Israel Calls Up Reserves</h2>
<em>By Joseph Lord</em>

The Israeli military has activated two brigades of reserve troops for “operational activities” in Gaza.

In a post to X, Israeli Defense Force (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari said the recruitment of these forces “will allow the continuation of the effort and readiness to defend the State of Israel and maintain the security of the residents,” per a translation of the original post.

The announcement comes ahead of an expected invasion of Rafah, a city in the Gaza Strip that Israel says is the last major stronghold still controlled by Hamas.

It’s also home to roughly one million people, including many Palestinians who fled to the city earlier in the conflict. The expected invasion has drawn condemnation from some Western leaders.
<h2>Kirby Says China Should ‘Do More’ to De-escalate</h2>
<em>By Joseph Lord</em>

White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby on Sunday called on China to “do more” to help de-escalate tensions in the Middle East after Iran’s April 13 drone and missile strike.

“Look, I won’t dispute the fact that China can do more, China should do more in the Middle East,” Mr. Kirby said when asked about U.S. efforts to cajole China into helping with de-escalation given China’s close relationship with Tehran.

“We’ve asked them to use that influence to a positive effect,” he added, acknowledging that China has not followed through on U.S. requests to that end.

But he argued that China is “not the leader in the region that they’d maybe like to be”—the United States is.

Speaking about how Israel should respond, Mr. Kirby said that’s "up to the Israelis to decide.”

A senior White House official said today the United States will not assist in any retaliatory strikes by Israel.
<h2>Iranian Attack Was ‘A Declaration of War’: Israeli President</h2>
<em>By Joseph Lord</em>

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said that Iran’s Saturday strike on Israel was tantamount to “a declaration of war” by the Persian state, but insisted that Israel is still “seeking peace.”

Mr. Herzog delivered the remarks during an interview with Sky News.

“We were attacked last night from four corners of the Middle East with proxies shooting at us, firing ballistic missiles, drones and cruise missiles," Mr. Herzog said. "This is like a real war. I mean, this is a declaration of war.”

However, Israel is nevertheless “seeking peace” and to avoid an escalation, Mr. Herzog said.

Still, he called on world leaders to “make it clear” that Iran’s actions were “unacceptable,” saying it’s “about time the world faces this empire of evil in Tehran.”

The Israeli war cabinet is currently meeting behind closed doors to discuss a response to the attack.
<h2>US Will Not Participate in Any Retaliation Against Iran: White House</h2>
<em>By Emel Akan</em>

The United States will not participate in a counter-strike against Iran should Israel choose to retaliate for an attack on its territory last night, according to the White House.

“We’re committed to defending Israel. We would not be a part of any response they do. That’s a very consistent [U.S.] policy,” the senior administration official told reporters during a call on Sunday.

Comments came after some media reports stated earlier that President Joe Biden warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he would not support retaliatory action against Iran during a phone call on Saturday.

“Our aim is to de-escalate regional tensions. We do not want a broader regional conflict,” the official added.

When asked if President Biden’s phone call influenced his Israeli counterpart's decision not to proceed with a counter-attack, the official declined to confirm but did add that the president had tried to "slow things down."

“Israel will make its own decisions. But we made our views known,” he said, noting that the phone call took place last night during an “incredibly intense period.”

“It was a period of heightened emotion. And I think the president had a discussion about trying to slow things down,” he said. “And I think Israel has to think through carefully what it does next.”

During the call, a senior defense official also provided an update on the “unprecedented” attack against Israel.

Iran launched “300 munitions, including over 100 ballistic missiles as well as cruise missiles and UAVs,” a senior defense official said.

“These attacks were launched from locations in Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen against Israeli territory. And it was the first ever direct attack on Israel from Iranian soil,” he said.
<h2>G7 Leaders Say Iran Attack Risks 'Provoking an Uncontrollable Regional Escalation'</h2>
<em>By Joseph Lord</em>

Leaders of the G7, after a virtual meeting, issued a statement expressing support for Israel and condemning Iran’s April 13 drone attack.

“We, the Leaders of the G7, unequivocally condemn in the strongest terms Iran’s direct

and unprecedented attack against Israel,” the group said. “We express our full solidarity and support to Israel and its people and reaffirm our commitment towards its security.”

The group of international leaders accused Iran of “further stepp[ing] toward the destabilization of the region and risk[ing] provoking an uncontrollable regional escalation."

“This must be avoided,” the statement said, with G7 leaders vowing to “continue to work to stabilize the situation and avoid further escalation.”

The statement demanded that Iran and its proxies cease attacks on Israel, and said that G7 leaders “stand ready to take further measures now and in response to further destabilizing initiatives.”

Additionally, the leaders said they would continue to work toward an “immediate and sustainable ceasefire” and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
<h2>Iran Officials Threaten US Not to Retaliate to Its Attack on Israel</h2>
<em>By Jack Phillips</em>

Iran on Sunday warned Israel and the United States that it would carry out a larger attack if either country retaliates against Tehran’s overnight missile and drone attack, saying that U.S. military bases could be in its crosshairs.

Iran launched explosive drones and shot missiles at Israel late on Saturday in what has been described as its first direct attack on Israel. The Islamic regime has said that the attack was warranted after Israel’s bombing a Syrian compound in early April that left seven members of its Revolutionary Guard Corps dead.

“Our response will be much larger than tonight’s military action if Israel retaliates against Iran,” armed forces chief of staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri told state-run media on Sunday, saying that Iran warned the United States that any support of an Israeli counterattack against Iran would lead to American bases being targeted. All U.S. assets and bases in the region could be targeted, he added.

<em><a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/iran-officials-issue-warning-to-us-after-israel-attack-5628995">Read full story here</a></em>
<h2>Lawmakers Divided on Response to Iran Strikes</h2>
<em>By Joseph Lord</em>

Lawmakers are divided on the proper response to Iran’s attack on Israel over the weekend.

Some, like Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) are calling for a strong and swift response to the drone strikes, which Iran said were carried out in retaliation for a suspected Israel strike on an Iranian diplomatic building in Syria in early April.

“If we turn the other cheek to them, we’re going to get it in the neck,” Mr. Kennedy said during an appearance on “Fox News Sunday.”

“We need to stand with Israel. It’s very clear. We’re not at war with Hamas, or Hezbollah or Yemen. Those are all surrogates for Iran. Those are … prostitutes, the pimp is Iran. Israel is at war with Iran,” Mr. Kennedy said. “Iran hates Americans. Iran hates Jews, Iran wants to kill Americans and Jews.”

Mr. Graham wrote in a post on X, “It is long past time for the Iranian regime to pay a heavy price.”

Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) during an appearance on NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday” warned against a “weak” response.

Other lawmakers, meanwhile, have expressed concerns that the conflict could escalate.

That was the concern expressed by Sens. Chris Coons (D-Dela.) and J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) during appearances on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

Mr. Vance said, “I certainly think there is a real fear of escalation,” but he blamed the attack on weak deterrence measures by the United States.

“I think if we want to reestablish deterrence, the most important thing is not how we or Israel respond to this attack. It’s how we focus in the long term on rebuilding our country,” Mr. Vance said. “People aren’t worried that we’re not thumping our chest enough. I know that’s the John Bolton response to this.”
<h2>House Will ‘Try Again’ on Israel Funding This Week: Speaker Johnson</h2>
<em>By Joseph Lord</em>

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said the House will “try again” to pass a funding package for Israel this week following Iran’s attack on the Middle Eastern nation.

During an appearance on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” the speaker was asked if the attack, which Iran said was in retaliation for an Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic building in Syria, would change the House’s plans for funding Israel.

“We’ve understood the urgency of this from the very beginning,” Mr. Johnson said, noting that only days after he became speaker, the House passed a $14 billion aid package for Israel that would have been paid for by slashing the budget of the IRS.

That bill has languished in the Senate, where it hasn’t even been brought up for a vote by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

Later, Mr. Johnson noted, the House passed a “clean” funding bill for Israel, also with a top-line cost of $14 billion, that was opposed by a majority of Democrats after President Joe Biden said he would veto the bill.

Still, Mr. Johnson said he plans to make another foray into funding Israel in the wake of Iran’s April 13 attack.

<em><a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/house-will-try-again-on-israel-funding-this-week-speaker-johnson-5628999">Read full story here</a></em>
<h2>Trump Responds to Iran Attack, Says ‘Would Not Have Happened’ If He Were in Office</h2>
<em>By Naveen Athrappully</em>

Former President Donald Trump attributed Iran’s recent decision to attack Israel to weakness shown by the Biden administration, and vowed to revive American strength abroad once he is reelected to the White House.

“I wanted to say God bless the people of Israel. They’re under attack right now. That’s because we show great weakness,” President Trump told a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. “The weakness that we’ve shown is unbelievable, and it would not have happened if we were in office. You know that, they know that, everybody knows that. But America prays for Israel, and we send our absolute support to everyone in harm’s way. This is an attack that would not have happened.”

“But we will return the world to peace through strength and it will happen very quickly. We will revive American strength abroad, and we will restore American strength at home. We were respected four years ago all over the world. Today, we are considered a joke. It’s not going to be for long, believe me. It’s not going to be for long.”

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/trump-biden-showed-great-weakness-leading-iran-to-attack-israel-5628897"><em>Read full story here</em></a>
<h2>Netanyahu Told Biden Israel ‘Very Grateful’ for US Support: Kirby</h2>
<em>By Joseph Lord</em>

White House adviser John Kirby said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was “very grateful” for United States military support after Iran attacked Israel last night.

President Joe Biden and Mr. Netanyahu held a phone call last night over the attack, which Iran has said was in retaliation for a suspected Israel strike on an Iranian diplomatic building in Syria in early April.

During that call, coming near the end of the attack, President Biden reportedly “congratulate[d] Prime Minister Netanyahu for an incredible military achievement.”

Speaking about the phone call on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Mr. Kirby said, “The prime minister was very grateful for the support that President Biden offered and demonstrated in supporting Israel. And the president made it clear that the self-defense of Israel is something we take seriously, and we will continue to take that seriously.”

President Biden had earlier made public declarations that such an attack was imminent. After Iran carried out the strikes, which were largely intercepted by a joint effort by Israeli, U.S., and other allied forces, President Biden denounced the incident as a “brazen attack.”

It’s currently unclear whether and how Israel intends to respond.

“I certainly won’t speak for Prime Minister Netanyahu and what they’re thinking and whether and how they’re going to respond, because, really, that’s up for them to decide,” Mr. Kirby said.
<h2>Israel, Iraq, Jordon, Lebanon Reopen Airspace</h2>
<em>By Melanie Sun</em>

Israel announced at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday morning that it has reopened its airspace after its airport authority closed all airports due to Iran's attack overnight.

Iraq and Jordan, which saw Iranian drones flying through their airspace toward Israel, were also forced to close their airspaces late on Saturday. Both reopened on Sunday morning. Lebanon also said it had reopened its airspace.

All airlines either cancelled or suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv on Saturday night until further notice.

But on Sunday morning, Israel's flag carrier El Al said it had resumed operations and was “working to stabilise the flight schedule as soon as possible.”
<h2>IRGC Commander Threatens Similar Attacks Against Future Israeli Action</h2>
In comments to Iranian state TV, the commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Major General Hossein Salami warned that any future attacks by Israel against Iranians—officials or civilian—will face the same response by the IRGC, with the attacks overnight marking a "new chapter" in Iran's fight against Israel.

His comments were echoed by IRGC chief of staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri, who told state TV, "Our response will be much larger than tonight's military action if Israel retaliates against Iran."

He added that Washington had been warned that any U.S. actions responding to Iran's attack would result in U.S. bases being targeted.
<h2>99 Percent of Over 300 Threats Intercepted: IDF</h2>
<em>By Melanie Sun</em>

IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in an update early Sunday morning that "99 percent of the threats launched towards Israeli territory were intercepted" overnight in joint defense efforts by Israel and its allies—"a very significant strategic achievement."

Mr. Hagari said that Iran launched over 300 different threats of various types toward Israel on Saturday night; 170 drones, more than 30 cruise missiles, and over 120 ballistic missiles. Only ballistic missiles were among the threats that crossed into Israeli territory, the IDF said.

Nevatim Air Force Base suffered "minor damage to infrastructure" and remains operational.

"The Iranian threat met the aerial and technological superiority of the IDF, along with a strong fighting coalition—which together intercepted the overwhelming majority of the threats."

No deaths have been reported by Israel. Minor injuries and panic attacks were reported by Israel's emergency service for 31 people as they made their way to emergency shelters.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on X following Iran's attack, “We have intercepted, we have contained. Together we shall win.”

Israel also took fire from ongoing tensions with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. A barrage of rockets was fired by the Iranian proxy on northern Israel early Sunday morning. The IDF said that it responded with strikes on Hezbollah targets across Lebanon with its fighter jets.
<h2>Pentagon Reiterates Ironclad Support for Israel</h2>
<em>By Melanie Sun</em>

Following reports on anonymous comments allegedly made to NBC late Saturday night, the Pentagon released another statement addressing Iran's attack on Israel.

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in the statement that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had spoken with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant for "a second time today to reiterate ironclad U.S. support for Israel's defense in light of Iran's unprecedented attack from Iranian territory."

Hours earlier, U.S. media NBC published unverifiable reports from anonymous sources on the content of private talks as described to the outlets by "top U.S. officials."

According to NBC's reporting, "Some top U.S. officials are concerned Israel could do something quickly in response to Iran’s attacks without thinking through potential fallout afterward, according to a senior administration official and a senior defense official.

The report continued, "President Joe Biden has privately expressed concern that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to drag the U.S. more deeply into a broader conflict, according to three people familiar with his comments."

The senior administration official then allegedly added that, "The White House believes Israelis are not looking for a wider war or a direct war with Iran, but U.S. officials can’t be certain."

Mr. Ryder said in his statement that, "Secretary Austin and Minister Gallant praised the extraordinary defensive measures and strong cooperation undertaken to defeat this Iranian attack against Israel.

"Secretary Austin again stated clearly that Israel could count on full U.S. support to defend Israel against any future attacks by Iran and its regional proxies," the statement read.
<h2>US Does Not Seek Escalation, Will Support Israel</h2>
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement early Sunday morning that while the United States does not seek escalation, it will continue to support Israel’s defense.

“The United States condemns Iran’s attack on Israel in the strongest terms. While we do not seek escalation, we will continue to support Israel’s defense, and as the President made clear, we will defend U.S. personnel,” he said.

He said that in the hours and days ahead, he will be consulting with allies and partners in the region and around the world regarding a response to Iran’s attack.
<h2>Mossad Says Hamas Has Rejected Ceasefire Offer for Hostages</h2>
Mossad said in a statement early Sunday morning that Hamas has rejected its humanitarian deal for a temporary ceasefire in return for its release of Israeli hostages.

In a statement on behalf on Mossad, the prime minister's office that Hamas's Gaza chief, Yahya Sinwa, is "continuing to exploit the tensions with Iran" after the hostage release and ceasefire talks in Cairo failed to produce a compromise.

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