Iran Directly Attacks Israel for the first time in History
Iran has launched a large-scale drone and missile attack on Israel in retaliation for an April 1 strike on an Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria that killed seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including two generals.
The Iranian attack involved hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles, marking the first time Iran has directly attacked Israel militarily despite decades of enmity.
Israel says its air defenses intercepted 99% of the incoming drones and missiles, with only minor damage and a few injuries reported. The U.S. assisted Israel’s defense by deploying additional military assets to the region.
The attack came amid Israel’s ongoing military offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which has killed over 33,000 Palestinians according to local health officials.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which are backed by Iran, had previously carried out a deadly cross-border attack on Israel in October 2023.
The situation has sparked fears of a wider regional conflict. Thousands of Iranians took to the streets in support of the attack on Israel, chanting “Death to Israel” and “God’s victory is near.” However, some prominent Iranian opposition figures condemned the attack as contrary to the will of most Iranians.
The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting in response to the crisis, and world leaders have condemned the Iranian attack and expressed solidarity with Israel. The U.S., U.K., and other allies have vowed to support Israel and hold Iran accountable
