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Escalating tensions between Israel and Iran culminated in an unprecedented direct assault on Saturday night as more than 200 missiles and drones fired from Iranian soil hit Israeli territories, sparking fears of a potential wider conflict in an already volatile region.
The attack, which Iranian leaders vowed would come after Israel allegedly killed three senior Iranian military commanders nearly two weeks ago, unfolded in a shocking display: missiles launched from Iran whizzing past, among other things, the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa compound, sacred Muslim sites in Jerusalem. The onslaught resulted in injuries, including a 10-year-old wounded amidst the chaos.
This significant confrontation came after the decades-long “shadow war” between the two adversaries, and just six months after Hamas— an Iran-backed terror organization— initiated an ongoing war in Gaza with an attack on Israel. The cross-border violence intensifying clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy and Lebanese terror group.
Unsurprisingly, the United States and other Israeli allies have joined in defense. As a result, the tension throughout the Middle East has spiked. Yet, it remains unclear how the situation will unfold after this first-time occurrence.
The conflict builds on decades of indirect confrontations, as Iran has long supported and arm terror groups on the Israeli borders. Threats from Iran include the nuclear program that Israel has opposed and sought to impede. Furthermore, the conflict in Gaza and with Hezbollah has led to hundreds of casualties, sparking fears of a large-scale war.
On Saturday, Iran responded to the Israeli strike that killed senior Iranian military officials in Damascus. According to American intelligence officials, up to 500 drones are currently en route to Israel from Iranian territory.
Despite the escalating tensions and well-documented threats, President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. would not support an Israeli counter-attack on Iran, fearing that a further escalation could cause a much broader regional conflict.
- Iran and Israel have long had strained diplomatic relations.
- This attack follows a vow from Iranian leaders for revenge after three senior military leaders were allegedly killed by Israel.
- The United States has moved missile defense destroyers and aircraft to the region in the past week to assist Israel.
- Biden plans to coordinate with G7 leaders for a united diplomatic response to the Iranian attack.
References:
1: Jewish Telegraphic Agency: Iran attacks Israel
2: Tehran Times: Israel getting punished with ‘Operation Truthful Promise’
3: Axios: Biden told Bibi U.S. won’t support an Israeli counterattack on Iran