Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
by Aleksandr Il'yin
[REGNUM] Last night was marked by “the largest drone attack in the history of mankind,” as the former commander of the US Army in Europe, Mark Hertling, described in the media as a full-scale attack by Iran on targets in Israel.
As in Mark "Full semiautomatic" Hertling
According to various estimates, Iran fired about 200 Shahed drones, 110 ground-based missiles and 36 cruise missiles towards the Jewish state. With reference to the Pentagon, there were even fantastic figures of 400-500 UAVs.
Most of the incoming targets were intercepted by the Iron Dome system, as well as by American, British and Jordanian air defenses involved in assisting Israel. In particular, British Air Force aircraft based at the Cyprus base took part in repelling the attack.
Iran's targets were military installations of the Israeli army located both in the center of the country and in the south, in the Negev Desert. The Lebanese Hezbollah joined in the attack on targets in the north of the country, firing unguided rockets. Israeli media assess the damage as "relatively minor." They also talk about “minor damage” at one of the military bases.
In turn, representatives of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) paint a different picture. According to them, “the IRGC attacked important military targets of the terrorist army of Israel in the occupied territories, successfully targeted and destroyed them.”
In any case, a real assessment of the damage caused can only be done after some time. And even after that, the general public may never know about the real scale of destruction.
Numerous videos circulating online show Iranian missiles flying over the territory of neighboring countries, the operation of the Dome, and explosions on the ground. Representatives of the American command say that most of the targets were destroyed outside Israeli airspace. Debris from at least one rocket fell on the streets of the Jordanian capital Amman.
The streets of Iranian cities were full of jubilant people who wanted revenge for the destruction of the Iranian consulate building in Damascus on April 1 by Israeli missiles. Then, as a result of an attack on a diplomatic institution protected by special laws, several Iranian officers and generals were killed.
After the attack, which lasted five hours, parties to the conflict and major powers, including Russia, began making diplomatic statements.
Israel has requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. The country's representative, Gilad Erdan, said Iran had violated the organization's charter and asked Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to condemn the attack. “Where is your voice, where is your condemnation? Wake up!” - he wrote on social networks.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promises a “tough and clear response.” The Prime Minister himself, simultaneously with the launch of Iranian missiles and drones, addressed the nation in which he stated that he adheres to the principle: strike whoever strikes Israel. Netanyahu promises “cold-blooded and decisive” defense of Israel from any attack.
An IRGC spokesman spoke on state television about the possibility of a more serious strike if Israel decides to continue its escalation.
The leadership of the Corps, which is the most elite unit of the Iranian army and a kind of “punishing sword” of the Islamic Republic, emphasized that any manifestation of aggression and participation in causing damage to Iran from anywhere in the world will lead to a mirror response.
The IRGC also unequivocally states that the United States bears full responsibility for the actions of its ally and calls them a “terrorist regime.”
In turn, Iran's permanent mission to the UN refers to Article 51 of the organization's charter, which allows for an attack in self-defense.
“The issue is settled. But the Israeli regime may make another mistake, and then Iran’s reaction will be much harsher,” the permanent mission said. And at the same time they warned the United States that they should “keep their distance” without interfering in the conflict.
Immediately after the attack began, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei announced that the "malicious Zionist regime" would be punished.
The Iranian attack has already been condemned by Britain and France, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reminded the world that his country firmly supports Israel. The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, spoke of an "unprecedented escalation".
The First Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN, Dmitry Polyansky, called what was happening “a potential acute Middle East crisis.” “If Israel responds, Iran will respond in a more powerful and decisive manner <...> It all depends on the next steps of the parties involved, or lack thereof,” he added.
According to Polyansky, an urgent meeting of the Security Council is scheduled for the evening of April 14, where the consequences of the Iranian attack will be discussed. Ahead of the meeting, both Iran and Israel have already prepared letters with mutual accusations of violating international law.
At the time of writing this material, US President Joe Biden, who urgently interrupted his weekend, is preparing an address to the nation. Earlier, the American media wrote that there is great concern in his administration due to the unpredictability of Netanyahu, who can strike back without regard for the consequences. At the same time, Iranian nuclear facilities are named as the main targets of the Israelis.
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