West Asia crisis: Israeli military hits 99% intercept rate against Iran's aerial threats

Italy, currently holding the rotating presidency of the G7, convened a video meeting of G7 leaders on Sunday (April 14) to discuss Iran's attack on Israel, according to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's office.

President Joe Biden informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the United States would not join any Israeli counter-offensive against Iran, as reported by CNN and the Wall Street Journal on Sunday. Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel in retaliation for a suspected Israeli attack on Iran's consulate in Syria on April 1st. Biden conveyed to Netanyahu that further retaliation was unnecessary during their conversation late on Saturday. Senior US officials also communicated to their counterparts that the United States would not participate in any offensive response against Iran.

The Israeli military, with support from international allies, intercepted 99 per cent of Iran's aerial threats successfully.

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “IDF: Working with international partners, we successfully intercepted 99% of aerial threats from Iran.” Rear Adm Daniel Hagari of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) further confirmed that around 99% of the approximately 300 projectiles fired by Iran at Israel were intercepted by air defenses on Sunday morning.

Israel will exact a price from Iran in response to its mass missile and drone attack when the time is right, war cabinet minister Benny Gantz said on Sunday.

“We will build a regional coalition and exact the price from Iran in the fashion and timing that is right for us,” Gantz said in a statement as the Israeli war cabinet was due to convene to discuss Israel’s response to Iran’s attack.

The EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has called for a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers on Tuesday to discuss Iran’s attacks against Israel.

“Our objective is to contribute to de-escalation and security of the region” Borrell wrote on X.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told his Iranian counterpart over phone that he does not want further escalation of tension in the region.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian told Fidan that its “retaliatory operation” against Israel had ended, adding that Iran would not launch a new operation unless it was attacked, Turkish diplomatic sources said.

The current chair of Group of Seven (G7) nations Italy called a meeting in the wake of the Iranian attacks.

"The Italian Government reiterates its condemnation of Iranian attacks against Israel," Meloni said in a post on social media. "We express strong concern about further destabilization of the region and continue to work to avoid it."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned Iran’s drone and missile attack on Israel.

In a statement released on X, he said, “Iran’s actions threaten the entire region and the world, just as Russia’s actions threaten a larger conflict, and the obvious collaboration between the two regimes in spreading terror must face a resolute and united response from the world.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian Sunday said his nation had informed its neighbours about the attack on Israel 72 hours in advance.

“About 72 hours prior to our operations, we informed our friends and neighbours in the region that Iran’s response against Israel was certain, legitimate and irrevocable,” Amirabdollahian said at a press conference.

UK PM Rishi Sunak said UK fighter jets shot down a number of Iranian drones aimed at Israel. 

"The RAF sent additional planes to the region as part of our existing operations to counter [ISIS] in Iraq and Syria. I can confirm that our planes did shoot down a number of Iranian attack drones," Sunak said in a video shared with broadcasters Sunday.

Pope Francis on Sunday made a “pressing appeal” against a “spiral of violence” after the Iranian attack on Israel, warning of a potential regional conflagration.

“I make a pressing appeal for an end to any action which could fuel a spiral of violence that risks dragging the Middle East into an even greater conflict,” the pontiff said after his traditional Sunday prayer in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

“I am praying and following with concern, but also pain, the news that has come in recent hours about the worsening situation in Israel due to Iran’s intervention,” the pope told worshippers.

“No one should threaten the existence of others. All countries must, however, side with peace and help Israelis and Palestinians to live in two states, side by side and in security,” he said.

“That is their right,” Francis insisted as he once again repeated earlier calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and “negotiation.”

Iran on Sunday summoned the envoys of the UK, France, and Germany following their condemnation of the Iranian attacks on Israel. Iran has termed these nations' response as “irresponsible stance” and sought answers.

Major Iranian airports, including Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International, have shut down operations till Monday morning, Iranian state media reported.

“All flights from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport have been cancelled until 6 a.m. (0230 GMT) following an announcement by Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation,” the airport’s executive told the Iranian Student news agency.

Domestic flights from Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport and airports in Shiraz, Isfahan, Bushehr, Kerman, Ilam, and Sanandaj have also been cancelled until Monday morning, according to Iran’s Airports and Air Navigation Company, as the country’s western airspace remains off limits to flights.

Jordan on Sunday called on all parties to “exercise restraint and handle regional tensions with discipline and responsibility” following Iran's weekend strikes on Israel.

Jordanian officials emphasised the importance of de-escalation and urged all parties to act responsibly and demonstrate “utmost self-restraint."

Hamas has supported Iran's attack on Israel. In a statement, the Palestinian militant group said, "We in Hamas regard the military operation conducted by the Islamic Republic of Iran a natural right and a deserved response on the crime of targeting the Iranian consulate in Damascus and the assassination of several leaders of the Revolutionary Guards."

Iran warned on Sunday that a US backing of Israeli retaliation would result in US bases being targeted.

The Israeli military said on Sunday that it intercepted 99 per cent of the more than 300 drones and missiles launched by Iran.

“Last night Iran started an attack against Israel and launched more than 300 different threats. The Iranian threat met the Israel Defense Force’s aerial and technological superiority together with a strong fighting coalition, that together intercepted most of the threats. We intercepted 99% of the threats launched towards Israel’s territory. This is a very significant strategic achievement," IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said. 

There are about 10,000 Indian nationals in Iran while about 18,000 Indians live in Israel. New Delhi shares cordial to warm ties with both Iran and Israel. 

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Apart from Jordan, Iraq reopened its airspace with the country's aviation authority pointing out that security risks had now been overcome.

Jordan has reopened its airspace after closing it late on Saturday as Iran launched strikes against Israel, state TV reported citing Jordanian aviation authorities. 

An Israeli official said on Sunday that no decision had been made on the response to the Iranian missile and drone attacks. Speaking to The Times of Israel, the official said that the potential response would be discussed at the war cabinet meeting at 3 pm. 

Iran warned on Sunday that it would respond with more force if Israel retaliates over Tehran's weekend's strikes.

In a statement, Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Amir Saeid Iravani said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to exercise its inherent right of self-defense when required."

Iravani said that the strikes were in retaliation for an Israeli strike on Iran's Damascus consulate on April 1.

United Airlines has cancelled at least three flights headed to or departing from the Middle East amid the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran. 

The airline said that it was closely monitoring the situation and would make decisions on the upcoming flights with a focus on the safety of customers and crews. 

United States (US) President Joe Biden said on Sunday that he and other Western leaders will “coordinate a united diplomatic response” to Iran’s attack.

Biden held a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“Israel demonstrated a remarkable capacity to defend against and defeat even unprecedented attacks – sending a clear message to its foes that they cannot effectively threaten the security of Israel,” the White House said in a statement.

Israel's response to Iran will be coordinated with its allies, an Israeli official, who chose to remain anonymous, told The New York Times (NYT).

"We are seriously concerned at the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran which threatens the peace and security in the region. We call for immediate de-escalation, exercise of restraint, stepping back from violence and return to the path of diplomacy. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation. Our Embassies in the region are in close touch with Indian community," the Indian foreign ministry said in a statement. 

According to the IDF, the vast majority of Iranian ballistic missiles fired were intercepted, adding, that a few impacts were identified. 

Iran has launched hundreds of kamikaze drones as well as cruise missiles towards Israel with explosions heard over Jerusalem's skies among other places, in the Islamic Republic's first-ever direct attack on the world's only Jewish state as the six-month-old war in Gaza continues to push the region to a full-blown turmoil. 

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