Iran has reportedly fired drones at Israel. They should arrive in Israel during the night. Air defense is on hold.
Inflated: the flag of Iran Photo: Lee Jin-Man/AP/dpa
23:44: Iran warns against opening its airspace to Israeli attacks
Iranian Defense Minister Mohammed Reza Ashtiani warns any state not to make “its airspace or territory available to Israeli attacks against Iran.” This was reported by the semi-official Mehr news agency.
23:15: Israel convenes war cabinet
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convenes war cabinet at military headquarters in Tel Aviv, according to his office. (rtr)
10:50 p.m.: Jordan declares a state of emergency
This is reported by state media. Shortly before, two sources said the Jordanian air force was ready to shoot down Iranian drones or aircraft that violated airspace. The military is on high alert.
Like Iraq, Jordan lies between Iran and Israel. The drones and missiles must fly over Jordan and could also be shot down there by the Israeli army. (rtr, taz)
22:45: Iran launches drone attack against Israel
According to consistent reports from several states, Iran has fired a wave of drones at Israel. According to Iranian state media, missiles were also launched.
It will take hours for them to arrive, an Israeli military spokesman said on television Saturday night. Air defense is prepared and an air alarm is being sounded in the affected areas.
According to Israeli broadcaster Channel 12, around 100 drones and cruise missiles were involved in the attack. The drones are expected to arrive in Israel at 2:00 a.m. (local time; 1:00 a.m. CEST), the cruise missiles would have a shorter flight time. Initially there was no statement from the Tehran government. The Islamic Republic's Revolutionary Guard said it was attacking specific locations with drones and missiles.
Iran had announced retaliation for an April 1 airstrike attributed to Israel on its mission in Damascus. In the attack, among other people, a high-ranking commander of the Revolutionary Guard died. Diplomatic missions are exempt from attacks according to international agreements. On Sunday night, Iranian state television quoted the Revolutionary Guard as saying that Operation True Promise was part of punishment for “Israeli crimes.” Iran is an ally of the radical Islamic group Hamas, against which Israel is waging a war in the Gaza Strip.
The US government spoke of an Iranian airstrike that would likely last several hours. President Joe Biden is in contact with Israeli officials and other allies, a spokeswoman said. Biden had warned Iran of an attack and promised support for its close ally Israel. “Don't do it,” he told Iran on Friday at the White House. “We will support Israel. “We will help defend Israel and Iran will not succeed.”
As the Reuters news agency learned through security circles, several drones were detected over the Iraqi province of Sulaymaniyah. They came from Iran, three sources said. According to state media, Jordan declared a state of emergency. Shortly before, two informants had said that the Jordanian air force was willing to shoot down Iranian drones or aircraft that violated airspace. The military is on high alert. (rtr/afp)
22:45: German ambassador to Israel: direct attack like never before
Following the start of an Iranian retaliatory attack against Israel, German Ambassador Steffen Seibert called on all Germans present on the scene to follow the instructions of security authorities. “A direct attack like never before: Iranian drones are approaching Israel and there may be more to come,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday night. “I urge all German compatriots to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command and local authorities for their safety.” (dpa)
22:10: Israel confirms the attack
The Israeli army confirms an attack by Iran with unmanned missiles. The flight time will last hours, they say. The air defense is prepared and flight alarms are activated in the affected regions. (rtr)
10:05 p.m.: Iranian television talks about an attack on Israel
According to Israeli broadcaster Channel 12, Iran has fired dozens of drones at targets in Israel. The flight time should be several hours. Retired General Amos Jadlin told the broadcaster that each drone is loaded with 20 kilograms of explosives. The Israeli air defense is ready to intercept them. At the moment there is no statement from the Tehran government. (rtr)
9:35 p.m.: Jordan closes its airspace after a report
According to the state news agency Al Mamlaka, Jordan will close its airspace for several hours. It is said that from 11 p.m. (local time; 10 p.m. CEST) arrivals, departures and overflights will no longer be possible. Earlier, the agency quoted Jordan Aviation Authority head Haitham Misto as saying the GPS system was compromised. Aircraft in the region would therefore have to switch to alternative navigation systems. (rtr)