The Israeli army confirmed that Iran’s direct attack included the launch of 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles and 120 ballistic missiles, 99% of which, according to the military, were intercepted by Israeli defense systems.
The semi-official Iranian agency Tasnim, which is very close to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, reports an attack in two phases in which the drones had the task of saturating the Israeli defense screens to prevent them from closing in on the threat posed by the rest concentrate the projectiles.
The attack has drawn international condemnation, both from the United States and the European Union, while Iran has warned the United States that it will attack its bases in the region if it supports an Israeli response to this Saturday’s attacks.
Why did Iran attack Israel?
But why did Iran attack Israel? The attack did not surprise Israel or the rest of the international community, such as the United States, which, according to its President Joe Biden, had already warned that it would happen “sooner rather than later.”
International powers, including Israel, were awaiting Iran’s response to the April 1 attack on the Iranian consulate building in Damascus, which was attributed to Israel.
Seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were killed in the attack, including the commander of the IRGC ground forces, the commander of the IRGC air force and the deputy commander of IRGC operations.
“Iran has escalated the conflict”
Regarding the attack, Israel Defense Forces spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari assured CNN that, according to Israeli intelligence, the building was not a consulate or an embassy: “I repeat, this is not a consulate and this is not an embassy . This is a Quds.” Military building in Damascus disguised as a civilian building.
When asked about it, Hagari did not confirm whether Israel was behind the attack, saying only: “I will not comment on this attack, but I want to tell you that in the last six months Iran has caused (the conflict) to strengthen in this region.
Iran announced retaliation
Just hours after the attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, the country promised retaliation from its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who said that the “brave men of Iran” would punish Israel and repent of the “regime of the unjust.”
For his part, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani also warned that the country reserves the right to take “reciprocal” measures and decide on the nature of the “response and punishment” against Israel.