On the evening of 13 April 2024, Iran launched aerial drones at Israel in what appears to have been a reprisal attack that many had anticipated. According to Israeli TV reports, the drones were expected to reach Israel around 02:00 on Sunday. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards claimed that they had targeted specific locations with both missiles and drones.
In response to the imminent threat, Israel’s prime minister called a meeting of his war cabinet. As a precaution, Israel, Lebanon, and Iraq closed their airspaces, while Syria and Jordan activated their air defenses. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responded by being on high alert and closely monitoring all potential targets.
While Israel did not confirm or deny the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had stated prior to the news of the drone launches that their defensive systems were deployed and that they were prepared for any scenario. He expressed confidence in Israel’s strength and the support received from the United States, Britain, France, and other nations.
Following the attack, US President Joe Biden reiterated the United States’ unwavering support for Israel’s security. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also condemned Iran’s actions as reckless, promising continued support for Israel and its regional partners. Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the attack, citing what they considered to be retaliatory actions against Israel’s alleged crimes, including an attack on the Iranian embassy’s consulate in Damascus.
