Ramon Airbase struck by seven missiles,Nevatim Airbase struck by missiles and intelligence base in the occupied Golan Heights significantly damaged.[6]
Several countries in theMiddle East[note 3] closed their airspace a few hours before Iran launched astandoff attack against Israel around midnight on 13 April. Iran's attack sent around 170 drones, over 30 cruise missiles, and more than 120 ballistic missiles toward Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.[note 2] TheIsrael Defense Forces usedArrow 3 andDavid's Sling systems to shoot down many of the incoming weapons.[20][21]American,British,French, andJordanian air forces also shot some down.[22][23][24] France, which intervened at Jordan's request,[25] deployed warships to provide radar coverage. Jordan said it had intercepted objects flying into its airspace to protect its citizens.[26]
Israel said that the coalition, whose defensive efforts were codenamedIron Shield,[27] destroyed 99 percent of the incoming weapons,[28][29][30] most before they reached Israeli airspace.[31] A U.S. official said that at least nine Iranian missiles had struck two Israeli airbases, causing minor damage.[5] Some of the ballistic missiles were shot down in space by the Arrow system.[32] The missiles caused minor damage to theNevatim Airbase in southern Israel, which remained operational.[33][34][35] In Israel, a 7-year-oldIsraeli Bedouin girl was struck and injured by part of a missile, and 31 other people either suffered minor injuries while rushing to shelters or were treated for anxiety. Jordan reported someshrapnel falling on its territory, causing little damage or injuries.[33][34] The next day,Iran's envoy to the United Nations stated that the attacks "can be deemed concluded".[36]
The attack was the largest attempteddrone strike in history,[37][38] intended to overwhelm anti-aircraft defenses. It was the first time sinceIraq's 1991 missile strikes that Israel was directly attacked by the military of another state.[39] Iran's attacks drew criticism from the United Nations, several world leaders, and political analysts, who warned that they risk escalating into a full-blown regional war.[40][41][42][43] Israel retaliated byexecuting limited strikes on Iran on 18 April 2024.[44]
On 1 April 2024,Israel bombed the Iranian consulate annex building next to the Iranian embassy inDamascus, Syria, killing 16 people, including a woman and her son, and Brigadier GeneralMohammad Reza Zahedi, a seniorQuds Force commander of theIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and seven other IRGC officers, in addition to six other militants belonging to Hezbollah and other Iran-linked militias. Soon after the attack, Iran vowed to retaliate,[45][46] with reports suggesting this as a potential motive for the airstrike.[47] The building was inside the Iranian diplomatic compound, next to the main embassy building.[48][49] Numerous countries and international organizations condemned the attack; theUnited States denied involvement and prior knowledge,[50] though Russia's representative in theUnited Nations (UN) has questioned this claim, calling it "surprising", noting that the U.S. "always possesses information on any topic firsthand thanks to its intelligence capabilities".[51]
In the weeks following the attack on the consulate, the United States,France,Germany and theUnited Kingdom all warned Iran not to attack Israel and escalate the situation.[52][53][54] Iran was warned by Israel that such an attack could lead to a direct Israeli military response on Iranian soil.[55] In early April 2024, Iran sent a message via the Swiss embassy (United States Interests Section in Iran) to the United States, threatening to attack the United States' military bases in the region in case of their support of Israel in a possible Iranian attack on Israel.[56][57][58] According toForeign Minister of IranHossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iran gave the regional countries hosting US military bases 72 hours' notice of the imminent attack,[59][60] but the parties involved varied in their description of the timing and detail of the warning from Iran.[61][62] Iran held off on attacking for 12 days and messaged via diplomatic channels that it was not interested in waging a full-scale war.[63]
Attack
Launching of missiles and drones
On the evening of 13 April 2024, Iran launched a drone and missileattack on Israel, targeting—among other unconfirmed trajectories—sites in theIsraeli-occupied Golan Heights and Arad region and two airbases in theNegev desert.[14][64][65][66] The attack was namedOperation True Promise[15] (Persian:وعده صادق,romanized: va'de-ye sādeq),[16] with thecode nameYa Rasul Allah (یارسولالله(ص)).[56] It comprised more than 200 missiles and drones according toThe Washington Post[64][65][67][68] and includedballistic missiles according to Iranian news agencyIRNA.[69] BothCNN andReuters later reported that more than 300standoff weapons had been launched toward Israel.[70][28] An Israeli military spokesman specified that Iran had launched 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles, and 120 ballistic missiles.[29] According to IDF spokespersonDaniel Hagari, approximately 350 rockets were launched at Israel from Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen, also noting that the attack consisted of 60 tons of explosive materials.[71][72]
Hezbollah said it launched dozens ofBM-21 Grad rockets at an Israeli air defense site in theIsraeli-occupied Golan Heights. The group said the attack took place shortly after midnight local time.[78] Houthis launched drones.[79]
To prepare for the attack, Israel, alongside Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Kuwait, closed theirairspace on 13 April; Iran only closed its airspace toVFR flights,[80][81][82] and Egypt and Syria put its air defense on high alert.[83][4]
According to Or Fialkov, an Israeli military researcher, some of the missile types used by Iran were theEmad with a warhead of 750 kg,Ghadr-110 with a warhead of between 650 kg and 1000 kg,Kheibar Shekan with a 500 kg warhead, and probablyShahab-3B with a warhead of 700 kg.[13]
Israel used the high-altitudeArrow 3 and the medium-rangeDavid's Sling systems to shoot down the incoming weapons,[20][21][84] and jammed electronic guidance systems to disrupt missile navigation.[85] IDF conducted the defense under the codenameIron Shield.[27] Many drones were downed while flying over Syria,[86] whileSyrian Air Defense Force shot down some Israeli interceptors that attempted to enter Syrian airspace.[4] Israel said that 99% of the weapons were successfully intercepted,[29] and that its air force intercepted 25 cruise missiles outside the country, likely over Jordan.[87]
At approximately 2:00 a.m. local time on 14 April, explosions were heard inJerusalem, while air raid sirens sounded across Israel, theWest Bank, and theDead Sea. It is not known whether the explosions were interceptions by the short-rangeIron Dome system or were missile strikes.[88] Iranian missiles above theAl-Aqsa Mosque were intercepted.[89]
IDF jets struck military targets in southern Lebanon belonging to Hezbollah'sRedwan Force.[90]
Defense provided by other countries
The United States coordinated the multinational defense of Israel, from northern Iraq to the southernPersian Gulf, from the Combined Air Operations Center atAl Udeid Air Base in Qatar.[87] The U.S., the United Kingdom, France and Jordan used their own forces to intercept Iranian projectiles,[91][92][93][22][24][25] and France also deployed itsNavy to provide radar coverage.[94] An anonymous source from theSaudi Royal Family said that Saudi Arabia had automatically intercepted "any suspicious entity" violating its airspace.[95] According toThe Wall Street Journal, Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates shared intelligence, which included radar tracking information, with the U.S. and Israel prior to Iran's drone attack.[96][97][98]
American aircraft reportedly destroyed more than 80 Iranian weapons—more than half of those threatening Israel—before they reached their targets. The U.S. did not announce where its aircraft launched from; whether any were based in Saudi Arabia is unclear.[87]GeneralMichael Kurilla, the head ofUnited States Central Command (CENTCOM) went to Israel on 11 April, to coordinate air defenses.[99][100][101] CENTCOM reported late the following day that US forces destroyed more than 80 one-way attack drones and at least 6ballistic missiles.[28] TheU.S. Navy warships involved were reported to beUSS Carney (DDG-64) andUSS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) (both based in the Mediterranean), according to CENTCOM, which also reported that US aircraft from land and sea bases participated.[102] The ships' use of theSM-3 missile was the weapon's first time in combat.[103] AU.S. ArmyPatriot missile battery inErbil, Iraq, shot down at least one ballistic missile.[87]
The Wall Street Journal, citing anonymous French officials, reported that France deployed naval assets to assist Israel.[94]PresidentEmmanuel Macron later stated that France had joined in intercepting Iranian drones at Jordan's request.[25]
Jordan lies between Iran and Israel and had readied its air defenses to intercept drones and missiles that violated its airspace.[110]Iran had warned Jordan against any possible action in support of Israel,[111] but Jordan opened its airspace for U.S. and Israeli warplanes nonetheless.[26] Residents in the capitalAmman reported seeing flashes in the sky above the city.[112] In the city'sMarj al Hamam area, residents gathered around the remnants of a large drone that had been intercepted.[24]Haaretz reported that theRoyal Jordanian Air Force had downed 20% of the drones launched from Iran.[113][114] Jordan stated that its military action was an act of self-defense in an effort to safeguard the nation's airspace, territory, and citizens. There was also criticism towards Jordan's intervention that characterized it as having protected Israel.[115]
Casualties and damage
Iran claimed that the saturation tactic using drones managed to defeat the Israeli air defense and damage the bases used in the attack on the Iranian consulate.[76][73] Iran claimed that significant damage; however, several images published by Iranian state media showing damage in Israel were later found to be footage of wildfires inChile instead.[116]
A senior U.S. official stated that five Iranian ballistic missiles struck theNevatim Airbase, causing damage to aC-130 transport aircraft, an unused runway, and empty storage facilities. Additionally, four other ballistic missiles impacted theRamon Airbase.[5] The overall damage caused in the attack was minimal.[63]
There were no deaths, but a number of injuries from the strikes were reported. A 7-year-oldBedouin girl, Amina Hassouna, was seriously injured by shrapnel from an interception in theArad area.[7][117] At least 31 others were treated, either for minor injuries sustained from shrapnel while going to protected areas, or for anxiety.[8][10]
Aftermath
Hours after the beginning of the attacks,Iran's envoy to the United Nations stated that the retaliatory attack "can be deemed concluded" and that Iran would respond with "stronger and more resolute" actions if Israel were to "make another mistake". It also urged the U.S. to stay away from the Iran–Israel conflict.[118][30][36]PresidentEbrahim Raisi said that Iran had taught a "lesson" to Israel through the attack as theSupreme Leader promised.[119] IRGC commander Major GeneralHossein Salami called the attack "more successful than expected" and threatened retaliation for any Israeli counterattack. The IRGC also threatened to prosecute those expressing support for Israel online.[120][121][122] The Iranian government opened criminal investigations into several news outlets for their coverage of the strikes.[123]
Iraq, Jordan, and Israel reopened their airspace soon after the attacks were over.[124][125] At least two flights fromWizz Air andRoyal Jordanian were diverted toCyprus with over 700 passengers on board.[126][127] TheCyprus Air Command alongside the two main airports on Cyprus were also placed on high alert as a result of the attack.[128]
The effective interception has led to an increase in the stock prices of Israeli defense firms, such asElbit Systems, Aerodrome Group, NextVision, and Aryt Industries.[129]
Following the attacks, the Iranian economy experienced immediate adverse effects, with the national currency, theRial, plummeting to a new low against the dollar.[130]
There were concerns aboutrising oil prices in the event of Israeli retaliation against Iran. Andy Lipow, President of Lipow Oil Associates, said that "Any attack on oil production or export facilities in Iran would drive the price of Brent crude oil to $100, and the closure of theStrait of Hormuz would lead to prices in the $120 to $130 range."[131]
On 25 April, the United Kingdom unveiled new sanctions targeting the Iranian drone industry.[132]
Israel vowed to retaliate against Iran.[133] According to Israeli sources, Israel planned to initiate its first steps in aground offensive in Rafah during the week, but postponed it to consider their response to the Iranian strikes on Israel.[134] TheIsraeli war cabinet met on 15 April to consider a response to the attack.[135] On 17 April,Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu stated Israel will "make our own decisions" on how to retaliate against Iran.[136]
On 19 April, Israel launched a series of retaliatory missile strikes on Iranian military sites, including one nearIsfahan. Iranian officials also reported explosions at military sites in Syria and Iraq.[137]
Analysis
The Intercept reported that American forces "did most of the heavy lifting responding to Iran’s retaliation for the attack on its embassy in Damascus", shooting down more drones and missiles than Israel.[87] The report also notes that the UK, France, Jordan also helped shoot down projectiles.The Intercept added that it was the first time since 1991 that a nation state directly attacked Israel, and despite contending with extremely long distances and utilizing swarms of decoys to evade defense systems in the region, they were able to successfully strike two Israeli military targets, with five missiles hitting Nevatim Air Base and four striking another base.[87]
The Economist wrote that "the strike was militarily a flop", adding that Iran "may have miscalculated".[35] A few months later, the paper wrote that "Iranian strategists might wonder, in hindsight, if they erred in April. The barrage they fired at Israel did not create deterrence. Instead it may have locked them into escalating the war yet again—at great risk to their proxies, and to themselves."[138]Al Jazeera wrote that Iran, in no longer relying solely on its proxies, by launching its first attack on Israel from its own soil, its largest missile attack ever, and the largest drone strike in military history, has increased both itsdeterrence and itssoft power in the wider Muslim world.[38]The Guardian stated that some analysts believed that Iran's attack had shatteredIsraeli deterrence policy.[139]
The Jerusalem Post noted that the Iranian attack demonstrated that the events of 7 October did not undermine theIsrael–Sunni alliance.[140] According toH. A. Hellyer, a Middle East expert, the aim of the attack was not to harm Israel "with that level of warning".[141]According toCNN, the attack by Iran was "planned to minimize casualties while maximizing spectacle", and noted that Iranian drones and missiles went past Jordan and Iraq, both with U.S. military bases, and all the air defenses before penetrating the airspace of Israel.[142]
Dov Zakheim, a formerUndersecretary of Defense in theGeorge W. Bush administration, stated that "Iran is an existential threat in a way the Palestinian issue is not", thus bringing to the fore American deterrencevis-à-vis Iran.[143]John Bolton, however, called the attacks "a massive failure of Israeli and American deterrence"[144] and described Biden's disapproval of a possible counterattack as an embarrassment.[145]
An operational analysis by theInstitute for the Study of War (ISW) concluded that the attack was likely intended to cause significant damage below the threshold that would trigger a massive Israeli response. The think tank also noted that the "attack package" followed the Russian doctrine used in air strikes against Ukraine during theRussian invasion of Ukraine, albeit on a much larger scale and in a single mission. ISW predicted that the lessons that Iran will learn from this attack will allow it to identify the relative strengths and weaknesses of Israel's air defense system and build more successful attack packages in the future, and possibly share these experiences with Russia as well.[146]
The Wall Street Journal attributed Israel's success to a combination of its "sophisticated air-defense system and critical assistance provided by the U.S. and other Western and Arab partners,"[31] whilstThe Times diplomatic editor Roger Boyes suggested that the attack "showed that Israel has only a limited self-sufficiency in security matters. It was dependent onU.S. intelligence for the timing of the assault, for the location of many of the firing positions and on U.S., British and French assistance to help shoot down the incoming munitions".[147] According toThe Times of Israel, Israel's capability of taking direct and comprehensive strategic action solely on its own initiative was henceforth constrained, and furthermore the calculus of deterrence throughout the region has been changed.[148]Haaretz regarded America's assistance as its "most significant show of support in the history of Israeli-U.S. relations".[149]
According toReuters, analysts estimate that the cost for Israel and its allies to defend the attack was about $1 billion, while the cost to Iran for the attack was about $80 million to $100 million.[84] The current cost of Israel's short-rangeIron Dome, medium-rangeDavid's Sling, and high-altitudeArrow 2 andArrow 3 systems to intercept airborne threats is in the range of tens of thousands to millions of dollars, but future laser-based systems may substantially decrease the cost of each interception.[150]
Reactions
U.S. President Joe Biden and his national security administration assessing the attack in theSituation Room.UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a call with G7 leaders discussing the attack.
Iranian Foreign Affairs MinisterHossein Amir-Abdollahian declared that Iran does not welcome escalation, and the purpose of the Iranian operation was the exercise of the legitimate right of Iran for self-defense.[151] The Iranian government declared its reprisal against Israel a success and concluded.[152] Major General Ahmad Haghtalab, the IRGC commander in charge of protecting the security of nuclear sites in Iran said they could change their nuclear doctrine if their nuclear facilities were threatened by Israel.[153]
Israeli Defense MinisterYoav Gallant said the IDF halted the attack impressively.[154] Gallant stated that the attack was successfully repelled with the assistance of the United States and other countries. He emphasized the opportunity to form a strategic alliance to counter the serious and possibly nuclear threat posed by Iran.[155] Israel vowed "a significant response" to Iran's retaliation.[156]
Hamas said that the Iranian military operation against Israel was a "natural right and a deserved response" to the Israeli bombing of the Iranian consulate in Damascus and assassination of IRGC leaders there.[157] The Houthis said that the attacks were a legitimate response to the strike on Iran's consulate in Damascus.[158]
On 14 April,Jordanian Prime MinisterBisher Khasawneh stated during a cabinet meeting that any regional escalation would lead to "dangerous paths", adding that all parties involved need to de-escalate.[159] On the same day, the country'sForeign Affairs MinisterAyman Safadi stated that Jordan would take "all necessary measures" to protect its sovereignty and security and that it will tackle threats facing its citizens.[160][33] Safadi said Jordan had summoned Iran's ambassador to protest "offensive statements" made in Iranian media, particularly about threats against Jordan being the next target if it joined in on the interceptions, calling it an interference in the country's internal affairs.[161] Safadi also added that Jordan would respond in the same way whether the threat came from Israel, Iran or any other country, and noted that the continuation of the Gaza war and instability in theWest Bank would lead to further conflict, calling for a two state solution.[162]King Abdullah II of Jordan spoke withU.S. PresidentJoe Biden, stating that Jordan will not allow its land to become the center of a regional war.[163]
Iranian public
Celebrations and gatherings inTehran, after the Iranian strikes againstIsrael
Women and children at a demonstration inQazvin in support of the Iranian strikes in Israel, 16 April 2024
Demonstrations broke out in cities across Iran and in theGaza Strip[164] in support of the strikes.[165] Demonstrators waved Iranian and Palestinian flags next to banners that read "God's victory is near". Supporters of the retaliatory attack also demonstrated inIsfahan, the burial place ofMohammad Reza Zahedi, and inKerman next to the grave ofQasem Soleimani, who was killed in a2020 US drone strike inBaghdad.[166]
TheFront of Islamic Revolution Stability, a hardline Shia supremacist faction within Iran who are to Iran what the religious hard right are to Israel, endorsed the attacks and put up banners acrossTehran's billboards in Hebrew, telling Israelis to stock up on supplies in preparation for another attack while some others concern that the aggressive foreign policy could lead to war.[130]
International
Canada and the United States both condemned the attack, and the United States said it would support Israel against Iran.[167][168] Saudi Arabia called for restraint, and said that theUnited Nations Security Council must take responsibility for maintaining peace and security in the region.[112]
On 14 April, protesters inToronto cheered the airstrikes, chanting "Allahu Akbar!" A protest leader characterized the strikes as a response to Israeli airstrikes in the region, whileMelissa Lantsman, amember of parliament, said that the chants showed "It was never about a ceasefire". Other chants included "Intifada, Intifada, long live theIntifada" and "From the water to the water, Palestine is Arab".[169]
One of the first leaders to respond to the attack was British Prime MinisterRishi Sunak, stating: "The UK will continue to stand up for Israel's security and that of all our regional partners, including Jordan and Iraq."[170][171] The United Kingdom condemned the Iranian attack on Israel as "reckless".[172]
U.S. PresidentJoe Biden shortened a planned visit toDelaware and returned to theWhite House to meet with national security officials.[173] Biden called the intercepted attacks a win for Israel,[174][175] and committed to a unified diplomatic response from theG7.[176] A White House spokesperson labelled the Iranian strikes a "spectacular and embarrassing failure".[177] TheEmbassy of the United States in Jerusalem posted a security alert urging its workers to seek shelter until further notice.[178] Biden told Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu that the United States would not back Israel in a possible future counterattack against Iran.[179][174]U.S. Defense SecretaryLloyd Austin asked Israel to give the United States advance notice if they planned to attack Iran.[180] Overall, the U.S. president sought to prevent further escalation.[181]
On 16 April, Israel, the United States, the Netherlands and other countries called on the international community to impose sanctions on Iran's missile program.[186][187][188]
On 17 April, Jordan said Israeli retaliation for Iran strikes risked sparking wider regional war.[189]
Other countries
Argentina:PresidentJavier Milei expressed "solidarity and unwavering commitment" to Israel, and said he "emphatically support[s] the State of Israel in the defense of its sovereignty". Milei promised that Argentina "will always be on [Israel's] side."[190] Milei also accused Iran of "seeking the destruction of Western civilization."[191]
Brazil: TheMinistry of Foreign Affairs initially appealed "to all involved parties to exercise maximum restraint" and called on the international community to "mobilize efforts to prevent escalation." After facing public criticism for not condemning Iran,Foreign MinisterMauro Vieira told in a press conference that "Brazil always condemns any act of violence and calls for understanding between the parties."[193][better source needed]
Canada:Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau said that Canada unequivocally condemns Iran's attacks against Israel, stands with Israel, and that "we support Israel's right to defend itself".[194]
Chile: Foreign ministerAlberto van Klaveren expressed concern over "the serious escalation of tensions in the Middle East and the Iranian attacks against Israel", adding that Chile "condemns the use of force and defends international humanitarian law, which protects civilian lives in armed conflicts".[195]
China: TheForeign Ministry urged restraint and called the attack "the latest spillover of the Gaza conflict".[196] In a call with Iranian counterpartHossein Amir-Abdollahian, Foreign MinisterWang Yi reiterated Iran’s assertion that its attack was a "limited" action taken in self-defense, adding he believed Iran could "handle the situation well and spare the region further turmoil".[197]
Egypt: TheMinistry of Foreign Affairs voiced its apprehension regarding the Iranian offensive and the dangerous indications of heightened tensions between the Iran and Israel, emphasized the need for maximum self-control to prevent further instability and tension in the region.[198]
Germany:ChancellorOlaf Scholz condemned the Iranian attack as "unjustifiable and highly irresponsible", and assured that "Germany stands by Israel".[199]
India: TheMinistry of External Affairs expressed deep concern over the heightened tensions between Israel and Iran and called for an immediate de-escalation.[200]
Ireland:TaoiseachSimon Harris andTánaisteMicheál Martin both issued statements strongly condemning Iran's attack,[205] with Martin adding that Iran has been "a malign actor in the Middle East for quite some time" in its support of Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis.[206]
North Korea: TheKorean Central News Agency published an article supporting the attack stating that it was "demonstrating the Iranian people's will to punish Zionists and protect their sovereignty."[211]
Russia: TheForeign Affairs Ministry said that it was very concerned by the Iranian strikes on Israel, calling it "another dangerous escalation in the region".[214] It said that Iran's retaliatory attack was in accordance withArticle 51 of the UN Charter[215] and called for all parties to exercise restraint, adding that Russia had warned about an increase in tension because of "numerous unresolved crises in the Middle East".[214]
Spain: Prime MinisterPedro Sánchez and Minister of Foreign AffairsJosé Manuel Albares both posted a condemnation of Iran's attack onX, with Sánchez asking all countries involved to avoid "at all costs an even greater escalation".[219]
Taiwan: Foreign MinisterJoseph Wu told reporters at aLegislative Yuan meeting: "We join other democratic countries worldwide in condemning Iran's attack on Israel."[220] PresidentTsai Ing-wen conveyed condolences and solidarity in a meeting with an Israeli delegation led byBoaz Toporovsky on the topic of Iran's attack.[221]
Turkey:Foreign MinisterHakan Fidan stated on a phone call to his Iranian counterpart that Turkey did not want further escalation following Iran's retaliation on Israel. The Iranian Foreign Minister told Fidan that its "retaliatory operation" against Israel had ended, adding that Iran would not launch a new operation unless it was attacked.[222]
Ukraine:PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes on social media, saying "Iran's actions threaten the entire region and the world, just asRussia's actions threaten a larger conflict".[223] The Foreign Ministry condemned Iran's attack as "unacceptable and irresponsible" and called for efforts to prevent a "larger regional conflict".[224]
Uruguay: TheMinistry of Foreign Relations condemned the use of force by Iran and regretted the "worsening of the conflict, as well as the consequences it could entail for the humanitarian situation and civilian victims".[225] In addition, it confirmed that the Uruguayan embassies in the region were following the development of events.[226]
^Tabitha Monahan (15 April 2024)."Simon Harris condemns Iran drone strike on Israel as G7 leaders warn of 'uncontrollable regional escalation'".Irish Independent. Archived fromthe original on 15 June 2024."Iran has been a malign actor in the Middle East for quite some time. It has been supporting Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis in Yemen, and that perhaps hasn't been called out to the degree that it should have been." Mr Martin said it was those living in the region who suffer from the conflict but a war could also have implications beyond the Middle East.
^"Ante el ataque de Irán a Israel" [In the face of Iran's attack on Israel].Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (in Spanish).Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved15 April 2024.
Argentina:PresidentJavier Milei expressed "solidarity and unwavering commitment" to Israel, and said he "emphatically support[s] the State of Israel in the defense of its sovereignty". Milei promised that Argentina "will always be on [Israel's] side."[190] Milei also accused Iran of "seeking the destruction of Western civilization."[191]
Australia:Prime MinisterAnthony Albanese condemned the Iranian attack and reiterated the necessity forsanctions against Iran.[192]
Brazil: TheMinistry of Foreign Affairs initially appealed "to all involved parties to exercise maximum restraint" and called on the international community to "mobilize efforts to prevent escalation." After facing public criticism for not condemning Iran,Foreign MinisterMauro Vieira told in a press conference that "Brazil always condemns any act of violence and calls for understanding between the parties."[193][better source needed]
Canada:Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau said that Canada unequivocally condemns Iran's attacks against Israel, stands with Israel, and that "we support Israel's right to defend itself".[194]
Chile: Foreign ministerAlberto van Klaveren expressed concern over "the serious escalation of tensions in the Middle East and the Iranian attacks against Israel", adding that Chile "condemns the use of force and defends international humanitarian law, which protects civilian lives in armed conflicts".[195]
China: TheForeign Ministry urged restraint and called the attack "the latest spillover of the Gaza conflict".[196] In a call with Iranian counterpartHossein Amir-Abdollahian, Foreign MinisterWang Yi reiterated Iran’s assertion that its attack was a "limited" action taken in self-defense, adding he believed Iran could "handle the situation well and spare the region further turmoil".[197]
Egypt: TheMinistry of Foreign Affairs voiced its apprehension regarding the Iranian offensive and the dangerous indications of heightened tensions between the Iran and Israel, emphasized the need for maximum self-control to prevent further instability and tension in the region.[198]
Germany:ChancellorOlaf Scholz condemned the Iranian attack as "unjustifiable and highly irresponsible", and assured that "Germany stands by Israel".[199]
India: TheMinistry of External Affairs expressed deep concern over the heightened tensions between Israel and Iran and called for an immediate de-escalation.[200]
Indonesia: TheMinistry of Foreign Affairs warned citizens against travel to Iran and Israel effective 14 April.[201][202] It also asked both sides to deescalate tensions to prevent a full-scale war.[203] TheMinistry of Energy and Mineral Resources suspended oil and gas importation from Iran on 15 April until further notice.[204]
Ireland:TaoiseachSimon Harris andTánaisteMicheál Martin both issued statements strongly condemning Iran's attack,[205] with Martin adding that Iran has been "a malign actor in the Middle East for quite some time" in its support of Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis.[206]
Japan:Prime MinisterFumio Kishida expressed "strong condemnation" and "deep concern" over the Iranian attack,[207] whileForeign MinisterYoko Kamikawa said the attack further aggravated the situation in the Middle East.[208]
Netherlands: Prime MinisterMark Rutte condemned Iran's attack.[209] Rutte said Iran'sIslamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) should be added to the EU'sterrorism blacklist.[210]
North Korea: TheKorean Central News Agency published an article supporting the attack stating that it was "demonstrating the Iranian people's will to punish Zionists and protect their sovereignty."[211]
Norway: Prime MinisterJonas Gahr Støre and Foreign MinisterEspen Barth Eide both condemned Iran's attack, while calling on all parties to exercise maximum restraint.[212][213]
Russia: TheForeign Affairs Ministry said that it was very concerned by the Iranian strikes on Israel, calling it "another dangerous escalation in the region".[214] It said that Iran's retaliatory attack was in accordance withArticle 51 of the UN Charter[215] and called for all parties to exercise restraint, adding that Russia had warned about an increase in tension because of "numerous unresolved crises in the Middle East".[214]
Singapore: TheMinistry of Foreign Affairs condemned the strikes on Israel and added that they "exacerbate tensions" and "further destabilise an already tense region".[216][217]
South Korea: TheGovernment of South Korea strongly condemned the Iranian attacks.[218]
Spain: Prime MinisterPedro Sánchez and Minister of Foreign AffairsJosé Manuel Albares both posted a condemnation of Iran's attack onX, with Sánchez asking all countries involved to avoid "at all costs an even greater escalation".[219]
Taiwan: Foreign MinisterJoseph Wu told reporters at aLegislative Yuan meeting: "We join other democratic countries worldwide in condemning Iran's attack on Israel."[220] PresidentTsai Ing-wen conveyed condolences and solidarity in a meeting with an Israeli delegation led byBoaz Toporovsky on the topic of Iran's attack.[221]
Turkey:Foreign MinisterHakan Fidan stated on a phone call to his Iranian counterpart that Turkey did not want further escalation following Iran's retaliation on Israel. The Iranian Foreign Minister told Fidan that its "retaliatory operation" against Israel had ended, adding that Iran would not launch a new operation unless it was attacked.[222]
Ukraine:PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes on social media, saying "Iran's actions threaten the entire region and the world, just asRussia's actions threaten a larger conflict".[223] The Foreign Ministry condemned Iran's attack as "unacceptable and irresponsible" and called for efforts to prevent a "larger regional conflict".[224]
Uruguay: TheMinistry of Foreign Relations condemned the use of force by Iran and regretted the "worsening of the conflict, as well as the consequences it could entail for the humanitarian situation and civilian victims".[225] In addition, it confirmed that the Uruguayan embassies in the region were following the development of events.[226]
European Union:High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security PolicyJosep Borrell "strongly condemned" Iran's attack and called it "an unprecedented escalation and a grave threat to regional security".[227]
United Nations:Secretary-GeneralAntónio Guterres "strongly condemn[ed] the serious escalation represented by the large-scale attack".[228]
Media related toApril 2024 Iranian strikes in Israel at Wikimedia Commons
