Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has confirmed launching drones and missiles at Israel in retaliation for what they termed “Israeli crimes”. The operation, dubbed “True Promise”, was a response to the recent Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria, which resulted in the deaths of seven IRGC members.
The IRGC stated, “We launched an operation using drones and missiles in response to the Zionist entity’s crime of targeting the Iranian consulate in Syria.” They further added that the operation targeted specific locations within Israel.
Israel’s army spokesman, Daniel Hagari, condemned the attack, describing it as a “severe and dangerous escalation”. He emphasized Israel’s readiness to defend itself against such threats.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of the possibility of a “direct attack from Iran” and reiterated Israel’s preparedness. Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant affirmed that Israel was closely monitoring the situation and was prepared to counter any planned attacks by Iran and its allies.
United States President Joe Biden pledged support to Israel against Iran, expressing concern over the escalating tensions. The US remains in close communication with Israeli officials and allies in the region.
Syria has put its defence systems on high alert, and neighbouring countries like Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel have temporarily closed their airspace in response to the heightened tensions.
The Strait of Hormuz Incident
In a separate development, Iranian armed forces have seized a container ship linked to Israel near the Strait of Hormuz. This incident adds to the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel in the region.