April 14, 2024 - Iran’s attack on Israel

As Iran fired scores of missiles and drones toward Israel, there were mixed emotions among those on the ground.

For Tamara Jafar, a 34-year-old woman from historically Arab East Jerusalem, she said nobody in her neighborhood took the attack seriously.

David Levy, a 19-year-old student from the Givat Mordechai neighborhood in Jerusalem, said he first heard loud booms, “like I’ve never heard — ever — in my life,” then sirens.

Tour guide Evelyn Lufan thought Iran was simply making threats.

Iran privately messaged the United States that its retaliation against Israel had concluded, echoing what Iran said publicly, according to a senior administration official. 

Late Saturday, Iran said its attack on Israel is a response to Israel’s strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, and “the matter can be deemed concluded.”

But earlier Sunday, Iran’s chief of staff warned the United States and Israel against any future attacks. 

Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, said Iran sent a message through the Swiss embassy warning the United States if it cooperates with Israel in its possible next actions, US bases will “not have any security” and will be “dealt with.” 

US ships operating in the eastern Mediterranean Sea engaged in and destroyed between four and six Iranian ballistic missiles during Iran’s attack on Israel, according to a senior US military official.

The official said the aircraft in the region shut down more than 70 Iranian one-way UAVs headed toward Israel. The US Army Patriot missile battery shut down one ballistic missile in the vicinity of Erbil, Iraq, determined to be en route to Israel. 

The official said the missile was not believed to be targeting US or coalition forces.

President Joe Biden meets with members of the National Security team regarding the unfolding missile attacks on Israel from Iran on Saturday evening in the White House Situation Room. Some portions of this handout photo have been blurred by the source.

US President Joe Biden gathered Saturday night with his national security team for “real-time updates” on Iran’s attack against Israel amid what one senior administration official described as “tense moments” in the White House Situation Room. 

One of the updates the president received was the timing of missile launches including when “over 100 ballistic missiles” were launched within minutes and when the results were unclear, the official said.

Overall, Iran launched more than 300 “air threats,” a senior military official told reporters Sunday. When it became clear that Israel’s defenses had succeeded in foiling the attack, “there was a bit of a relief,” the official said. 

On Sunday, the president gathered his advisers early in the Situation Room, according to the same senior military official. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer, and Mideast coordinator Brett McGurk were all present, the official said. 

Preparations ahead of Saturday’s attack started nearly two weeks ago, the same senior administration official said, including when Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and National Security Adviser Sullivan briefed the president on “the possibility of additional military deployments” during the Japanese prime minister’s visit to Washington this past week.

CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez contributed to this reporting.

The hours-long war cabinet meeting ended Sunday night without a decision on how Israel will respond to Iran’s attack, an Israeli official said.

The cabinet is determined to respond – but has yet to decide on the timing and scope. 

The official said the Israeli military has been tasked with coming up with additional options for a response.

Separately, a senior Biden administration official told reporters that an Israeli official told the United States that it’s not looking to significantly escalate the showdown with Iran.

Israel war cabinet minister Benny Gantz said earlier Sunday that Israel will “exact a price from Iran in a way and time that suits us.”

CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez contributed to this report.

House Speaker Mike Johnson holds a press conference at the U.S Capitol in Washington, DC, on April 10.

US Congressional leaders from both parties were quick to condemn Iran’s retaliatory strikes on Israel this Saturday but remain at odds on how to pass additional Israel funding in the wake of the attacks.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday he will move forward with a vote on additional Israel aid but did not go into specifics about his plans as he walks a knife’s edge with conservatives over the potential inclusion of Ukraine funding.

“The House Republicans and the Republican Party understand the necessity of standing with Israel. We’re going to try again this week, and the details of that package are being put together right now. We’re looking at the options and all these supplemental issues,” Johnson told Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo on “Sunday Morning Futures.”

But hardline conservatives are warning Johnson against attaching Ukraine funding to any Israel aid package, underscoring the competing pressures on the speaker as he weighs critical decisions about the path ahead following Iran’s attack on Israel.

“Congress should be clear: no action by Iran or Israel merits a vote on the Ukraine omnibus the Senate seeks,” GOP Rep. Warren Davidson wrote on social media.

The pressure campaign from Johnson’s right flank comes amid bipartisan calls — including from GOP Leader Mitch McConnell — to take up the Senate-passed foreign package that includes money for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, arguing that is the fastest way to get aid to Israel.

Read more about the possible legislative action on Capitol Hill

The leaders of the G7 condemned “in the strongest terms” Iran’s unprecedented direct attack against Israel, in a joint statement released on Sunday after a virtual meeting. 

The G7 leaders vowed to continue working toward stabilizing the situation and avoiding further escalation. “In this spirit, we demand that Iran and its proxies cease their attacks, and we stand ready to take further measures now and in response to further destabilizing initiatives,” the statement said. 

The meeting was chaired by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. 

COGAT, the Israeli agency coordinating the inspection and delivery of humanitarian assistance for Gaza, says a World Food Programme (WFP) bakery has reopened in northern Gaza.

COGAT noted that this bakery produces about 650,000 pita bread daily and showed a video of piles of bread wrapped in plastic covering the counters and floors. 

WFP said much-needed fuel was delivered to the bakery in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), so its machines could start producing bread after being closed for months.

“Bakeries have been unable to operate for several months due to conflict and lack of access. We need safe & sustained access to prevent famine,” WFP said on X Sunday.

“One of the main reasons for famine was the shutdown of bakeries,” bakery owner Kamel Ajour said in a WFP video. “Making bakeries work again will bring back life to the Gaza Strip.”

Iran informed Turkey last week, before its strike on Israel, of “the options” for retaliation, a Turkish diplomatic source told CNN. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan then informed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken of Iran’s “possible developments.”

Turkish diplomatic sources also said that Fidan spoke Sunday with the Iranian foreign minister and said that Turkey did not want to see further escalation in the region. Fidan also spoke with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron with the same message of de-escalation.

Lebanese militant group Hezbollah congratulated Iran’s leadership following a “qualitative and unprecedented” attack targeting what it said was the “unjust and aggressive enemy entity” of Israel.

In a statement Sunday, the group praised Iran’s decision to respond firmly to what it described as “Zionist aggression” against the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

Hezbollah lauded what it said was Iran’s exercise of its “natural and legal” right to retaliate, despite facing “threats, intimidation, and pressure.” The operation, which Hezbollah described as executed with unparalleled courage and wisdom, achieved its military objectives despite the involvement of the United States, its international allies, and regional actors.

An Israeli army tank moves along the border of Gaza and southern Israel on April 4.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Sunday it was calling in approximately two reserve brigades for Gaza “operational activities” after a situational assessment.

“Their calling will allow the continuous effort and readiness to defend the state of Israel and the security of civilians,” the statement added.

The IDF said it could not share further details at the moment.

Some context: Tensions continue to escalate across the Middle East after Iran launched a barrage of missiles and drones on Israel on Sunday.

Iran launched the unprecedented attack in response to a suspected Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, earlier this month. 

US President Joe Biden spoke with King Abdullah of Jordan on Sunday, according to the White House and the Jordanian court.

Abdullah told Biden that “ending the war on Gaza immediately” is the way to prevent a regional spillover.

Discussions during the phone call also covered the need to maintain coordination between Jordan and the US on regional developments.

Earlier, the Jordanian government appealed for all parties to “exercise restraint and handle regional tensions with discipline and responsibility” following Iran’s overnight attack on Israel.

At a cabinet session chaired by Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, Jordanian officials emphasized the importance of de-escalation and urged all parties to act responsibly and demonstrate “utmost self-restraint.” The cabinet underscored the necessity of addressing the risks and repercussions of regional escalation on international peace and security.

The government assured the public that Jordan was functioning normally, with public services, education, and healthcare facilities operating smoothly. It also reiterated support for the Jordanian Armed Forces in safeguarding the country’s security.

Early Sunday morning, residents in Amman told CNN that they saw and heard activity in the skies over the Jordanian capital, sparking panic among the population. The cabinet said it had intercepted “foreign objects in Jordanian airspace to protect citizens and residential areas.”

“While some fragments fell in various locations, no significant damage or injuries were reported,” the cabinet added.

The government said the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission (CARC) is “continuously evaluating the situation” after temporarily closing Jordanian airspace on Sunday.

The headline and post were updated with details on a call between Biden and Abdullah.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock gives a statement on the situation in the Middle East on April 14, in Berlin.

Germany’s foreign minister Annalena Baerbock has emphasized the fragile security situation in the Middle East following Iran’s attack on Israel. 

She pointed to condemnations from countries, saying they showed that while Iran is “isolated with its aggressive behavior,” Israel’s defense capabilities are “strong.” 

Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk also weighed in on the wider security consequences, saying that while the situation “does not pose a direct threat to Poland at the moment,” it is clear that the entire “world is on the brink.” 

In light of this, Poland will make sure it has a “well-prepared army” and “a stable international position,” Tusk said in a social media post Sunday. 

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Sunday that world leaders had been united in their call for “responsibility and restraint” following the attack. 

The UK Foreign Minister David Cameron also condemned the attack against Israel “in the strongest terms” during a call with Iran’s foreign minister.

The post was updated with the statement from David Cameron.

US President Joe Biden, right, meets with G7 leaders, in this photo shared by The White House on Sunday, April 14.

The White House released a photo Sunday showing US President Joe Biden speaking with the leaders of the G7.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Mideast coordinator Brett McGurk are also shown. 

The White House said in a post on X that the leaders “condemned Iran’s unprecedented attack against Israel and reaffirmed the G7’s commitment to Israel’s security.”

The meeting was called to discuss what Biden called an “urgent diplomatic response” to Iran’s attack.

The G7 meeting has now concluded, according to an administration official.

The post was updated with the meeting concluding.

An anti-missile system operates after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, on April 14.

Israel will “exact a price from Iran in a way and time that suits us,” war cabinet minister Benny Gantz said on Sunday, following the Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel.

Iran “met the strength of the Israeli security system,” Gantz said, a reference to the minimal damage caused by the assault involving hundreds of projectiles.

His comments come as Israel’s war cabinet met.

The cabinet is composed of Gantz, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Among others in attendance Sunday were Defense Forces chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Mossad director David Barnea, observer members Gadi Eisenkot and Aryeh Deri, national security advisor Tzachi Hanegbi and cabinet secretary Yossi Fuchs.

Here are the latest headlines:

The post was updated with the identification of attendees at the war cabinet meeting today.

Israel will cancel schooling throughout the country on Monday, the Israel Defense Forces announced Sunday.

The country had already canceled schools on Sunday, which is a working day in Israel, in response to Saturday night’s Iranian drone and missile attack on the country. 

The military also announced a limit on the size of gatherings, and the cancellation of work in communities in the north and south of the country on Monday, after cancelling it on Sunday.

US House Intelligence Committee chairman Mike Turner speaks during a hearing in Washington, DC, on March 12.

US House Intelligence Committee chairman Mike Turner called on the Biden administration to respond to an “already escalating” conflict following Iran’s attack on Israel, contending Iran will strike again.

“Certainly, this is an escalation,” the Ohio Republican said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday.

Turner said that “at this point” he does not believe the US should engage in direct military action against Iran, but he called on the Biden administration to recognize the risk at hand. 

As Iranian missiles and drones flew toward Israel, they brought with them a new wave of tension, uncertainty and confrontation in the Middle East.

Why did Iran attack Israel?: Israel and Iran are long-standing rivals and have been engaged in a shadow war for years.

Iran launched the unprecedented attack in response to a suspected Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, earlier this month. Tehran’s attack targeted the Nevatim airbase, an Iranian army official said on Sunday, alleging that this is where Israel’s early April strike on the Iranian consulate was launched from.

How did the attacks unfold? More than 300 projectiles – including around 170 drones and over 120 ballistic missiles – were fired in the immense aerial attack. Of those, “99%” were intercepted by Israel’s aerial defense systems and its allies, according to the Israeli military, with only a small number reaching Israeli territory.

What next? The decisions made by Israel’s War Cabinet will dictate the immediate next steps. One of the members, Benny Gantz said Israel will “exact a price from Iran in a way and time that suits us.” But Iran said a “new equation” in its adversarial relationship with Israel had been opened, and warned of a “much bigger” assault on the country should Netanyahu decide on a tit-for-tat attack.

Read more about what could happen next between the two countries here.

US President Joe Biden is meeting with fellow G7 leaders Sunday to discuss what he calls an “urgent diplomatic response” to Iran’s attack on Israel.

Italy, the current president of the G7, said the virtual talks would begin at 10 a.m. ET. Officials were seen arriving to the White House ahead of the expected start of the talks. The emphasis on diplomacy makes clear Biden is seeking a non-military response to the drone and missile attacks launched by Iran, seeking ways to contain the risk of a wider war.

Biden made clear in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu late Saturday that the United States would not participate in an offensive operation against Iran, encouraging his counterpart instead to view the successful interception of the Iranian weapons as a win.

European Council President Charles Michel posted a photo to X from the talks. It shows Biden in the Situation Room with top aides, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Mideast coordinator Brett McGurk, and chief of staff Jeff Zients.

Michel said the G7 group “unanimously condemned Iran’s unprecedented attack against Israel. All parties must exercise restraint. We will continue all our efforts to work towards de-escalation. Ending the crisis in Gaza as soon as possible, notably through an immediate ceasefire, will make a difference.”

Some context: The G7 is shorthand for Group of Seven, an organization of leaders from some of the world’s largest economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. Members of the G7 meet each year for a summit to discuss pressing issues on the global stage and coordinate policy. The European Union also takes part in its meetings.

The post was updated with details from Charles Michel’s social media post.

The Capitol building in Washinton, DC.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Saturday that the GOP-led House should move on the bipartisan Senate-passed national security aid package which includes funding for Israel in the wake of the Iranian attack.

This puts Schumer and Johnson at odds about the next steps for Israel funding. Johnson said on Sunday that lawmakers will try this week to pass additional aid to Israel with the details of the package not yet finalized.

House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks in Washington, DC, on April 10.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said lawmakers will try this week to pass additional aid to Israel, but the details are not yet finalized.

The Speaker added that he was glad the US “showed resolve” in response to the Iranian strikes on Israel. 

“Look, I do think that we showed resolve last night thankfully. Many of us were concerned about that to stand with our ally Israel. It’s critically important to do that. We took down most of those drones and missiles, as you noted, and our other allies stepped up as well,” he said.

An anti-missile system operates after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, on April 14.

A decades-long shadow war burst out into the open overnight as Iranian drones and missiles lit up the night sky in Israel and the occupied West Bank.

Tehran’s operation was highly choreographed, apparently designed to minimize casualties while maximizing spectacle.

This was a complex mission. Over 200 drones and missiles navigated above Iran’s neighbors, including Jordan and Iraq — both with US military bases — before penetrating the airspace of Iran’s mortal enemy, Israel. Israel’s allies helped shoot down the bulk of these weapons, but couldn’t prevent what was long believed to be the Middle East’s doomsday scenario, the Islamic Republic’s first-ever attack on Israel.

Israel’s fabled Iron Dome air defense system did not disappoint Israelis, many of whom took to bunkers. Only a small handful of locations were attacked, including a military base and an area in the Negev desert, injuring a Bedouin child, while the dome fended off one of the largest drone attacks in history

Yet it was an operation that seemed designed to fail — when Iran launched its killer drones from its own territory some 1,000 miles away, it was giving Israel hours of advance notice.

The symbolism of the attack did the heavy lifting. Rather than fire from one of the neighboring countries where Iran and its non-state allies are present, this was a direct attack from Iranian territory on Israeli territory. This compromised Iran’s ability to damage Israel because it robbed the operation of the element of surprise.

Yet for some four hours, the world held its breath as weapons whizzed through the night sky. They were balls of fire hovering overhead as onlookers across three different countries filmed images that seemed to harken the start of a cataclysmic war.

Read more about Iran’s planned attack.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has condemned Iran’s attack against Israel and is calling for “restraint.”

Sen. John Fetterman speaks with CNN on Sunday, April 14.

Sen. John Fetterman said Iran’s attack on Israel “demonstrates how astonishing” it is the United States is not standing firmly and unconditionally with Israel.

The Democratic senator from Pennsylvania also said he would “never understand” his colleagues who are trying to pass Israel aid without also sending aid to Ukraine.

“All I can conclude is that aligns with what Donald Trump says… I don’t understand why Donald Trump seems to love (Russian President Vladimir) Putin as well too, but it’s a disgrace if we don’t deliver this aid. I voted for it and we need to deliver that and stand with our allies and stand with democracy,” he said.

Israel war cabinet minister Benny Gantz attends a press conference in in Shlomi, Israel, in November 2023.

Israel will “exact a price from Iran in a way and time that suits us,” war cabinet minister Benny Gantz said Sunday, following the Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel.

Iran “met the strength of the Israeli security system,” Gantz said, a reference to the minimal damage caused by the assault involving hundreds of projectiles.

But, he added, “this event is not over,” citing the need to “build a regional coalition and extract a price from Iran, in a way and at a time that suits us.”

Gantz also said that Israel still needs to bring home its hostages and secure its southern and northern borders so that people who have evacuated their homes near these borders can return.

Nir Cohen contributed translations to this post.

Pope Francis speaks at the Vatican, on Sunday, April 14.

Pope Francis has urged regional leaders to avoid further escalations in the Middle East, and called on all nations to “take the side of peace.”

Francis also called for a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a press conference in Istanbul, Turkey, on March 8.

The sound of drones must serve as a “wake-up call to the free world,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday after Iran launched an unprecedented large-scale drone and missile attack at Israel on Saturday night.

“This sound must serve as a wake-up call to the free world, demonstrating that only our unity and resoluteness can save lives and prevent the spread of terror worldwide,” he said.

Zelensky went on to say that Iran’s actions “threaten the entire region and the world, just as Russia’s actions threaten a larger conflict,” and that “the obvious collaboration between the two regimes in spreading terror must face a resolute and united response from the world.”

“Words do not stop drones and do not intercept missiles. Only tangible assistance does,” Zelensky said. “It is critical that the United States Congress make the necessary decisions to strengthen America’s allies at this critical time,” he added.

Two of the Israeli government’s most hardline ministers on Sunday urged a firm response to the overnight Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich urging a response that “resonates throughout the Middle East” and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said Israel should “go crazy.”

Smotrich, the head of the far-right Religious Zionism party, said that if Israel hesitated, “we will put ourselves and our children in existential danger.”

In a video statement, Smotrich called this a “moment of truth,” saying, “If our response resonates throughout the Middle East for generations to come — we will win.”

Ben Gvir, the leader of the far-right Jewish Power party, said Israel’s response must not be “weak,” and that “the concepts of containment and proportionality are concepts that passed away on October 7,” the day of the Hamas attack on Israel.

Neither Smotrich nor Ben Gvir are members of Israel’s war cabinet.

Nir Cohen contributed translations to this post.

Israel’s war cabinet has begun its meeting, an official told CNN Sunday just before 4 p.m. local time (9 a.m. ET).

The war cabinet consists of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Benny Gantz, the leader of the National Union party and a former Defense Minister. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and politicians Gadi Eisenkot and Aryeh Deri sit in the war cabinet as observers. 

The war cabinet meeting comes as Israel determines its response after Iran launched dozens of missiles from its territory toward Israel late Saturday. Israel’s military said “99%” of the more than 300 projectiles fired by Iran were intercepted by Israel and its “partners.”

US President Joe Biden made clear the US will not participate in any offensive operations against Iran, according to a senior administration official.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian gives a press conference in Tehran, Iran, on April 14.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Iran informed neighboring countries 72 hours before its attack of a “certain” response against Israel.

Amir-Abdollahian told a news conference on Sunday in Tehran that Iran told the countries the operation would be “decisive” in the form of “legitimate defense.”

He did not clarify which countries were informed. Neighboring states have not yet publicly confirmed they were informed.

A top White House official underscored the success of Israeli and US efforts to intercept Iranian missiles and drones as the Biden administration looks to contain the risk of a wider regional conflict. 

He added that Israel’s defense against the “several hundred drones and missiles over the course of a few hours” shows that Iran “is not the military power that they claim to be.” Kirby’s comments were an indication of how the United States is looking to tout the success of the operation while preventing further escalation. They echo sentiments President Joe Biden relayed late Saturday to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In pointing to the unbridled success in stopping Iran’s weapons, Biden and his team are suggesting to Israel that it has shown its ability to defend itself alongside the United States and its allies — and that further retaliation may not be necessary.

The Italian Presidency of the G7 has called a meeting in remote format on Sunday “to discuss Iran’s attack against Israel,” according to a brief statement on Italy’s G7 official presidency site.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also said Sunday that the Italian presidency of the G7 has organized “a conference at leaders level for this afternoon.”

Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system launches to intercept missiles fired from Iran, on Sunday, April 14.

In decades of antagonism between Israel and Iran, there has never been an attack by Iran inside Israel. This crosses a threshold. What happens next rests on whether Israel will listen to the United States and not escalate the cycle of retaliation.

Iran’s massive drone and missile wave was 99% intercepted, and Israel said damage was limited. Triggered by Israel’s April 1 strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria, the barrage brings the region to a boil. We still don’t know exactly why Israel carried out the strike in Syria, but analysts say Iran was forced to respond for its own internal consumption and to demonstrate strength in the region. For its part, it says the matter is now concluded.

President Joe Biden said the US will not join any Israeli offensive against Iran. The very real question is whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will listen to the warnings of his biggest backer.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak told CNN Israel had won this round and Netanyahu must think before any further action, warning that Israel is still stuck in Gaza, hostages remain captive, and the Lebanon-Israel border is highly volatile.In the meantime, despite the current escalation between Israel and US intelligence say there is no evidence Iran planned or acted in Hamas’s October 7 attacks.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi attends a press conference in Ankara, Turkey, on January 24.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said any “new aggression against the interests of the Iranian nation will be met with a heavier and regrettable response,” according to Iran’s state news channel IRIB. 

The country’s foreign minister made similar remarks on a post on X, saying Iran has no intention of “continuing defensive operations, but if necessary, it will not hesitate to protect its legitimate interests against any new aggression.”

“Exercising the right of legitimate defense shows Iran’s responsible approach to regional and international peace and security,” he added.

Iran has continued its threats after launching an unprecedented overnight strike on Israel on Saturday.

The leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned that a “new equation” was created after its attack on Israel, and that it will now respond directly whenever Israel attacks its interests, assets or people. 

Iran’s chief of staff has also threatened the US and Israel against any future attacks. Mohammad Bagheri, the Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, said Iran sent a message to the US through the Swiss embassy warning Washington if it cooperates with Israel in their possible next actions, US bases will “not have any security” and will be “dealt with.”

French forces, in cooperation with their hosting countries, helped monitor and detect drones and missiles launched from Iran toward Israel on Saturday night, a French military source told CNN Sunday.

Later, Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné, in a post on X, said France participated in intercepting Iranian missiles.

France has troops stationed in Lebanon, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, as well as a navy presence in the Persian Gulf, according to the French Ministry of Armed Forces. The source declined to comment on which other countries participated in the mission Saturday night.

This comes as Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said that the United States, United Kingdom and France all “acted” during the Iranian strikes on Israel. “We are working closely with the US, UK and France who acted tonight. This partnership has always been close, but tonight it manifested itself in an unusual way,” Hagari said.

The post was updated with the social media post from France’s foreign minister.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak records a statement about the Iranian attack on Israel on April 14, in London.

The United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed that British Royal Air Force (RAF) jets shot down “a number of Iranian attack drones” launched overnight towards 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.

The prime minister said that he had chaired an emergency meeting of the UK’s crisis management committee on Friday to agree a plan of action in the event of an Iranian attack.

Sunak commended the success of the “international coordinated” response to Iran’s attack, saying it had managed to save lives “not just in Israel, but in neighboring countries like Jordan.”

The prime minister said he would discuss the need to deescalate the situation when he speaks to G7 leaders later on Sunday. “It’s important that we coordinate with allies and we’ll be discussing next steps,” he added.

Israel will respond to Iran’s attack, but the scope of that response has yet to be determined, an Israeli official told CNN Sunday.

The official said Israel has yet to determine whether it will try to “break all the dishes” or do something more measured.

The options are expected to be discussed in detail during Israel’s war cabinet meeting on Sunday, the official added.

Israeli warplanes struck an “important weapons manufacturing site” belonging to Hezbollah in the Nabi Sheet area, according to the IDF spokesperson for Arab media, Avichay Adraee, in a post on X.

Lebanon’s National News Agency said earlier Sunday that an Israeli airstrike had targeted a building in the town of Nabi Sheet in Lebanon’s Baalbek region.

Some context: Israeli strikes in the Baalbek region since October 7 are rarer considering it is further north into Lebanon, about 80 kilometers (or about 50 miles) from the Israel-Lebanon border. 

Last Sunday, the Israeli military said it had struck four sites of Hezbollah’s air defense unit in the Baalbek area.

A diplomatic source familiar with the ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas has confirmed that Hamas has rejected the latest proposal in talks to reach a suspension to the hostilities in Gaza.

In its response to the mediators, Hamas “reaffirmed [its] position” on the unrestricted right of Gazans to return north to their homes and the redeployment of Israeli troops away from central Gaza. These are demands that Hamas has stuck to and Israel has resisted.

In addition, the diplomat said, Hamas continues to argue that the second phase of an agreement should conclude with a permanent end to the fighting. Israel has shown no willingness to discuss an end to the war.

CNN has previously reported that the latest discussions in the Egyptian capital of Cairo included a new proposal from the US that Israel releases some 900 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the 40 Israeli hostages expected in the first phase of a ceasefire deal.

Hamas has “signaled they are willing to discuss it positively once the other issues are addressed,” the diplomat said. 

Airports in Tehran have suspended flights until 6:00 a.m. local time Monday, according to Iran’s state-aligned Tasnim news agency and semi-official news outlet ISNA.

All flights in and out of Iman Khomeini Airport, which serves international flights, and Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport, serving domestic flights, have been cancelled. 

Flights in Shiraz, Isfahan, Bushehr, Kerman, Ilam, Sanandaj and several other airports in the west of Iran have been cancelled, the state-affiliated outlets said. 

It comes after Lufthansa and its subsidiary Austrian Airlines — currently the only two Western carriers that operate international flights to Iran — announced the suspension of flights to and from Tehran earlier this week, as the region was on high alert for a retaliatory strike by Iran against Israel.

Tehran’s attack on Israel targeted the Nevatim airbase, an Iranian army official has said on Sunday, alleging that this is where Israel’s early April strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus was launched from.

The “operation” targeted “the Nevatim airbase, where the F-35 planes were used for targeting our consulate in Damascus,” the chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, said on Iranian state TV IRINN.

Iranian ballistic missiles that reached Israel fell on the airbase located in the south of the country and caused only light structural damage, Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Daniel Hagari said. The base is functioning and continuing its operations following the attack, with planes continuing to use the base, Hagari added.  

The attack on the Iranian consulate annex building on April 1 killed senior Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders. Israel is widely suspected to be behind the airstrike, though it has not officially claimed responsibility.

Bagheri said Iran’s operation also targeted a “large information center” near Israel’s border with Syria.

An anti-missile system operates as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, on Sunday.

Iran launched an unprecedented large-scale drone and missile attack at Israel overnight on Saturday, in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic complex in Syria.

The reprisals marked the first time the Islamic Republic has launched a direct assault on Israel from its soil, marking a dangerous new inflection point in the fast-widening Middle East conflict.

In the aftermath of the attack, Tehran has continued to make threats against Tel Aviv and its Western allies, warning that its response will be “stronger and more resolute” if Israel continues to commit “military aggression.”

Below are the latest developments:

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant attends the Israel's war cabinet meeting in Tel Aviv on Sunday.

The confrontation between Iran and Israel is “not over yet,” Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Sunday, following Tehran’s attack on Israel the previous night.

“The State of Israel was attacked with hundreds of missiles and [unmanned aerial vehicles], and the [Israel Defense Forces] thwarted this attack in an impressive manner,” Gallant said, urging Israelis to remain “alert and attentive to the instructions published by the IDF and Homefront Command.” The defense minister stressed that Israel “must be prepared for every scenario.”

“Together with the United States and additional partners, we managed to defend the territory of the State of Israel,” Gallant continued. “Very little damage was caused – this is the result of the IDF’s impressive operations.”

Gallant is one of three men who make up Israel’s war cabinet, alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz. The war cabinet has been authorized to decide on Israel’s response to the Iranian attack, an Israeli official told CNN.

On Saturday evening, Netanyahu addressed the citizens of Israel, proclaiming that Israel has been preparing for a direct attack by Iran and is ready for “any scenario, both defensively and offensively.”

“We have determined a clear principle,” Netanyahu continued. “Whoever harms us, we will harm them. We will defend ourselves against any threat and will do so level-headedly and with determination.”

An Israeli airstrike has destroyed a building in the town of Nabi Sheet in Lebanon’s Baalbek region, northeast of the capital Beirut, on Sunday, Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) said.

The Israeli military told CNN it cannot yet confirm these reports.

Some background:

Tensions between neighbors Israel and Lebanon have escalated since October 7, with rocket fire regularly exchanged between the two countries. Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah has repeatedly declared its support for the Palestinian people in Gaza and their resistance against Israeli attacks on civilian areas. 

Israeli strikes in the Baalbek region are rarer considering it is further north into Lebanon, about (50 miles) 80 kilometers from the Israel-Lebanon border. Last Sunday, the Israeli military said it struck four sites of Hezbollah’s air defense unit in the Baalbek area.

Israeli forces fire rockets from their Iron Dome defense system near the southern city of Sderot on May 13, 2023.

Almost all the ballistic missiles and drones Iran launched at Israel in an unprecedented attack late Saturday were intercepted and failed to meet their mark, according to Israeli and American officials, highlighting the formidable and multi-layered missile defense deployed by the two allied partners.

Most of the more than 300 Iranian munitions were intercepted before they got to Israel, more than 1,100 miles (1,770 kilometers) from their launch points.

The US Navy and US warplanes shot down multiple ballistic missiles, as well as other Iranian ordnance, officials told CNN’s Oren Liebermann at the Pentagon.

Israel’s Iron Dome system, the bottom layer of Israel’s missile defense, uses a command-and-control system that quickly calculates whether an incoming projectile poses a threat or is likely to hit an unpopulated area. If the rocket does pose a threat, the Iron Dome fires missiles from the ground to destroy it in the air. There are at least 10 Iron Dome batteries in Israel.

Other Israeli missile defense systems include David’s Sling, which uses Stunner and SkyCeptor kinetic hit-to-kill interceptors to take out targets as far as 186 miles away, and Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 systems, jointly developed with the United States, which intercept incoming ballistic missiles in space.

Israel also has state-of-the-art fighter aircraft, including F-35I stealth jets that it has used to shoot down drones and cruise missiles before, according to news reports.

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Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps delivers a speech in Kerman, Iran, on January 5.

Iran’s IRGC leader said a “new equation” was created after its attack on Israel, and that it will now respond directly whenever Israel attacks its interests, assets or people. 

“Honest Promise” was the name given to Iran’s unprecedented attack late on Saturday, which saw drones and missiles launched at Israel over a five-hour period.

The attack marked a dangerous new inflection point in the fast-widening Middle East conflict, bringing the long-running shadow war between the two sides into the open and raising the prospect of full-blown regional conflict.

The US assessed that almost all of the drones and missiles – including more than 100 ballistic missiles – launched by Iran had been knocked out of the sky. No cruise missile made impact and nothing of “value” was hit, according to a senior White House official.

Iraq said it had reopened its airspace after it was temporarily closed overnight amid the attacks on Israel.

The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority confirmed Sunday that this decision follows the successful “mitigation of all risks” that previously affected the safety and security of civil aviation in Iraq.

The airspace closed on Saturday night as a precautionary measure, following a thorough risk assessment conducted by Iraqi authorities.

Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called on the Israeli government to “learn lessons” and move on to Rafah.”

In a post on X, Smotrich said that he had warned that “giving up on Israel’s red lines and chasing after Hamas for a deal” would “only decrease” the chance of bringing Israeli hostages held in Gaza back.

“It’s time to learn lessons, change direction, move on to Rafah now and restore full Israeli control all over the Gaza Strip,” Smotrich added.

Some context: The far-right minister has, in the past, denied the existence of a Palestinian people or nationhood, prompting a rebuke from the United States in March 2023.

More than 1 million Palestinian civilians are estimated to be sheltering in Rafah in southern Gaza, most of them displaced from other parts of the besieged enclave and crammed into a sprawling tent city.

Israel has been threatening an invasion into Rafah for some time now - despite pushback from allies like the US. Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had set a date for the action, adding that “entry into Rafah” is necessary for a “complete victory over Hamas.”

Mohammad Bagheri, the Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces said Iran sent a message to the United States through the Swiss embassy warning Washington that if it cooperates with Israel in their possible next actions, US bases will “not have any security” and will be “dealt with.” 

Bagheri said from Iran’s perspective, the military operation against Israel “has concluded.” 

However, he emphasized that Iranian armed forces remain on high alert and are prepared to “act if necessary,” according to an interview on state IRINN TV on Sunday.

The Zionist regime is an Iranian reference to Israel.

“Israel’s actions in the consulate were condemned so a response should have been given,” Bagheri added.

Some context: Iranian authorities have made clear this weekend’s strikes where retaliation for an April 1 strike by Israel which destroyed an Iranian consulate building in the capital Damascus.

Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack which Iran said killed multiple officials, including Mohammed Reza Zahedi, a top Revolutionary Guards commander.

However an Israel Defense Forces spokesman told CNN that their intelligence showed the building was not a consulate and was instead “a military building of Quds forces disguised as a civilian building.”

Reaction to Iran’s strikes on Israel has poured in from world leaders, some openly condemning Tehran, others calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and almost all urging restraint during a moment of huge tension in the Middle East.

US President Joe Biden said that the US “is devoted to the defense of Israel.” 

“Our commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad,” Biden said in a statement.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an immediate halt to hostilities in the Middle East. “I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East,” Guterres said in a series of tweets on X.

“I have repeatedly stressed that neither the region nor the world can afford another war.” 

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the attacks “demonstrate yet again the Iranian regime’s disregard for peace and stability in the region. We support Israel’s right to defend itself and its people from these attacks.”

China expressed “deep concern” over the “current escalation”, according to a spokesperson for its Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, adding that it was a “spillover of the Gaza conflict” and a ceasefire should be implemented without delay. Beijing called “on relevant parties to exercise calm and restraint to prevent further escalations.”

India’s Foreign Ministry said that it is “seriously concerned” about the escalation of hostilities between Iran and Israel. “We call for immediate de-escalation, exercise of restraint, stepping back from violence and return to the path of diplomacy,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Pakistan said the attacks were “the consequences of the breakdown of diplomacy.”

“For months, Pakistan has underlined the necessity of international efforts to prevent expansion of hostilities in the region and for a ceasefire in Gaza,” read a government statement.

Saudi Arabia, a major regional rival to Iran, stressed the importance of “preventing any further exacerbation” of the crisis, warning of “dire consequences” should the situation worsen.

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry called the latest developments a “dangerous escalation”. It said the latest hostilities were “nothing but a direct result of what Egypt has repeatedly warned about, regarding the dangers of expanding the conflict in the region as a result of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, and the provocative military actions being exercised in the region.”

Qatar, which plays a vital role in many Middle East conflicts and enjoys close economic relations with Iran, expressed “profound concern” and called on all parties to “cease escalation, calm tensions, and exercise maximum restraint.”

The United Arab Emirates, which is geographically close to Iran and normalized relations with Israel in 2020, called for an end to regional escalation to avoid “dangerous repercussions” and warned of “new levels of instability.”

Russia, which has been waging a brutal war on Ukraine for over two years, called on all parties “to exercise restraint.” “We express our utmost concern about another dangerous escalation in the region,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement Sunday. 

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry condemned Iran’s attack, calling it “unacceptable” and “irresponsible.”

“It is extremely important to make every effort to prevent the confrontation from escalating into a large-scale regional conflict,” Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said, adding that the attack “demonstrates the importance of mobilizing all the power of the free world to defend the global boundaries of democracy.” 

In a statement on X, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the UK would “continue to stand up for Israel’s security and that of all of its regional partners, including Jordan and Iraq.

Ireland, whose leader has been a vocal critic of Israel’s war in Gaza, called on both Iran and Israel to “show restraint” and “avoid any escalation” following a “reckless attack” by Iran. 

Adding to this were also statements from leaders in European countries like Germany, Denmark, France, Norway and Austria.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the attacks “blatant and unjustifiable.” “All actors must now refrain from further escalation and work to restore stability in the region,” Von der Leyen said. 

Israel is “working closely” with the US, UK and France, Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said, adding that all three “acted tonight” during the Iranian strikes.

“We are working closely with the US, UK and France who acted tonight. This partnership has always been close, but tonight it manifested itself in an unusual way,” Hagari said.

Antony Blinken is seen at the White House on Thursday, April 11.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken “will be consulting with allies and partners in the region and around the world in the hours and days ahead” following the Iranian retaliatory attack on Israel, he said in a statement dated Sunday.

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

Intercepted Iranian weapons are seen in the sky in Jerusalem on Sunday.

The Israeli military said Sunday that “99%” of the more than 300 projectiles fired at Israel by Iran were intercepted.

Only “a small number” of ballistic missiles reached the country’s territory, Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said.

Around 170 drones, more than 30 cruise missiles and more than 120 ballistic missiles were launched at Israel by Iran, he said, the vast majority intercepted by the Israeli Air Force and Israeli “partners.”

The ballistic missiles that did reach Israel fell on the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel, Hagari said, adding that they caused only light structural damage. The base was functioning and continuing its operations following the attack, with planes continuing to use the base, he added.

Remember: US President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call that his country should consider tonight a win because the current US assessment is that Iran’s attacks had been largely unsuccessful and demonstrated Israel’s superior military capability, a senior administration official told CNN.

US forces were also involved in defending Israel, intercepting more than 70 one-way attack drones and at least three ballistic missiles, according to two US officials familiar with the situation.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made his first public statement after Iran’s attack, vowing to the country’s people that “together we shall win.”

Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, Netanyahu said: “We have intercepted, we have contained. Together we shall win.”

An anti-missile system operates as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, on Sunday.

Iran has warned that it will respond with more force if Israel retaliates over this weekend’s strikes, which Tehran said were themselves a reply to an Israeli attack earlier this month on its embassy complex in Syria’s capital Damascus.

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

Citing self-defense against repeated Israeli military aggressions, Iravani said the strikes were specifically in retaliation to an Israeli attack on April 1 against what Iran says were diplomatic facilities in Damascus.

Iran claims the attack violated international law and led to the death of seven Iranian military advisors, including key commanders from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The statement also criticizes the United Nations Security Council for “failing to uphold international peace,” allowing Israel to “breach” established international norms and “escalate” regional tensions.

Additional context: Israel has carried out numerous strikes on Iran-backed targets in Syria, often targeting weapons shipments allegedly intended for Hezbollah, a powerful Iranian proxy in Lebanon. 

Israel has not claimed responsibility for the April 1 attack which destroyed an Iranian consulate building in the capital Damascus, including Mohammed Reza Zahedi, a top Revolutionary Guards commander.

However an Israel Defense Forces spokesman told CNN that their intelligence showed the building was not a consulate and was instead “a military building of Quds forces disguised as a civilian building.”

US President Joe Biden will meet with G7 leaders Sunday “to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack,” according to a statement released by the White House. 

US defensive assets moved to the region earlier this week and “helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles,” according to the statement.

Biden also spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu following Saturday’s attack “to reaffirm America’s ironclad commitment to the security of Israel.” 

I told him that 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 president wrote.

US forces intercepted more than 70 one-way attack drones and at least three ballistic missiles during Iran’s attack on Israel, according to two US officials familiar with the situation.

The ballistic missiles were intercepted by warships in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, one of the officials said. Iran launched more than 100 ballistic missiles in total at Israel, according to a senior administration official.

US fighter jets were also part of the response to Iran’s attack on Saturday and shot down drones launched towards Israel, another US official told CNN.

Defense experts have been speaking to CNN about whether and how Israel might respond to this weekend’s strikes by Iran.

Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador the United States, told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer that “the rules have to be changed” following Saturday night’s attack. 

Eyal Hulata, a former Israeli national security adviser, said military retaliation is not the only response available, adding further international sanctions against Iran could be possible.

Some context: Iran has been under a host of international sanctions for years which have battered the country’s economy. But they have had limited impact on changing the government’s approach to Israel and the wider Middle East.

The US announced new sanctions on Iran in February – targeting a range of malicious Iranian initiatives, including their cyberwarfare and drone programs.

The unprecedented wave of strikes launched from Iran towards Israel appears to have subsided, two US officials said. The attacks lasted approximately five hours and plunged the already tinder box Middle East into uncharted territory.

Iran said the overnight attacks were retaliation for a deadly Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, earlier this month.

The Biden administration says almost all of the drones and missiles – including more than 100 ballistic missiles – launched at Israel by Iran have been knocked out of the sky.

US President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call that his country should consider tonight a win because the current US assessment is that Iran’s attacks had been largely unsuccessful and demonstrated Israel’s superior military capability, a senior administration official told CNN.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has asked his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, to notify the US ahead of any potential response to the Iranian attack, according to a US official. The Israeli security cabinet has authorized the three-man war cabinet to decide on Israel’s response.

Here’s what we know so far:

A US Marine guards the entrance to the West Wing of the White House on Saturday.

The US will not participate in any offensive operations against Iran, US President Joe Biden has made clear to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a senior administration official told CNN.

The comments were relayed during the phone call that the two leaders shared in the aftermath of Iran’s retaliatory strikes against Israel.

Israel should consider tonight a win because the current US assessment is that Iran’s attacks had been largely unsuccessful and demonstrated Israel’s superior military capability, President Joe Biden told Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in their phone call, a senior administration official told CNN.

There have been no reports of injuries suffered directly through Iranian strikes, according to Israel’s emergency service.

However, the Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency service said it was called to treat a total of 31 people who suffered minor injuries while making their way to shelters and who suffered panic attacks during the drone and missile attacks.

Earlier, MDA said it had taken a 7-year-old girl to hospital who had suffered a severe head injury due to shrapnel from an interceptor missile that was launched to intercept an Iranian projectile. 

More than 55 rockets have been fired from Lebanon to Israel over the past hour, according to the Israeli military’s spokesperson.

This comes after about 40 rockets were fired at Israel from southern Lebanon on Friday, according to the Israel Defense Forces. Hezbollah militants said they had fired the rockets at Israeli artillery positions in response to recent Israeli attacks and in support of Palestinian people in Gaza.

Remember: Since the start of the Hamas-Israel war on October 7, Israel’s flare-up with Hezbollah has intensified on Lebanon’s southern border with Israel.

Hezbollah — a Lebanese armed group backed by Iran — has its main area of operations there. Hezbollah has frequently fired missiles into Israel since October 7 and Israel has responded with its own fire, including airstrikes. Israel has ordered the evacuation of communities along the Lebanese border.

The wave of strikes launched from Iran towards Israel appears to have subsided, two US officials said. The attacks lasted approximately five hours.

Early Sunday morning in Israel, the country’s Home Front Command canceled its request for citizens to remain near shelters, an indication that the Israeli military believes the immediate threat of incoming attack has passed.

The US, along with Israel, monitored the barrage of drone and missile attacks that began Saturday night and continued into early Sunday morning. The number of launches appeared to fall during Sunday’s early hours, the officials said.

However, even as the number of Iranian drone and missile launches has fallen, Iranian proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon fired a barrage of rockets at northern Israel early Sunday morning.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement on Saturday that Israel had been preparing for an attack from Iran.

“In recent years, and especially in recent weeks, Israel has been preparing for a direct attack by Iran,” he said.

Netanyahu thanked the US, Britain, France and its other allies for “standing alongside Israel.”

Ahead of Iran launching dozens of drones toward Israel, President Joe Biden on Friday made clear the US would help defend its ally.

The US has forces in Iraq and Syria that could potentially intercept drones en route to Israel, depending on the location from which they’re launched. US Navy forces in the Red Sea have previously intercepted long-range missiles launched from the Houthis in Yemen toward Israel. 

Troops in region: There are thousands of US troops throughout the Middle East, and a US defense official told CNN this week that the Defense Department was moving additional assets to the Middle East. 

At the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, the US shifted a significant number of assets to the Middle East in an attempt to act as a deterrence and prevent the conflict from spilling out into the region more broadly. 

Another roughly 1,000 US troops are still en route to help set up a floating pier that will be used to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said this week that it was still on track to be operational by late April or early May.

Strike group: The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group remains in the region. The strike group includes 6,000 sailors, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Gravely (DDG 107). The group also includes Carrier Air Wing Three, which is composed of nine squadrons, including four strike fighter squadrons. 

Houthi attacks: For the last several months, the US has continuously shot down missiles, rockets, and drones launched by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, as well as attacks launched by Iran-backed proxy groups in Iraq and Syria. Three US soldiers were killed in January when a drone was launched at a small US outpost in Jordan. 

CENTCOM leader: Gen. Erik Kurilla, the commander of CENTCOM who is the senior general overseeing US forces in the Middle East, was in Israel on Friday for meetings with his Israeli counterparts. A US official told CNN on Saturday that Kurilla had left the country.

Iran launched a wave of retaliatory strikes toward Israel, fueling fears of regional escalation following an apparent Israeli attack on an Iranian embassy complex in Syria last week.

Several dozen drones were launched from within Iran on Saturday, a senior US administration official told CNN, while an Israeli military officer put the number at “more than 100.” Iran state media confirmed that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had “launched extensive drone strikes against targets in occupied territories,” referring to Israel.

Missiles were also launched, according to Israeli and Iranian media.

Public shelters were opened in the northern Israeli city of Haifa and Israel’s transportation ministry said it would close its airspace. Nearby Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq also announced the temporary closure of their airspace.

US President Joe Biden met with his national security team to assess the attack, according to a US official.

The US National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said Saturday that Biden is “in constant communication with Israeli officials as well as other partners and allies,” and reaffirmed his position that the administration’s “support for Israel’s security is ironclad.”

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