Iran’s drone and missile strike carried out on April 13, reportedly causing very limited damage to Israel. CIA director William Burns described the attack by saying, “[it] turned out to be a spectacular failure.”
The Iranian strike against Israel was a retaliation for Israel’s April 1 strike on an Iranian consular building, which killed two of Iran’s top generals.
According to BBC News, Iran fired around 330 drones and missiles at Israel in its first direct assault on the country. Of those 330 missiles and drones, none of them reportedly caused any damage.
Israel demonstrated the strength of their air defense systems to protect themselves from drone and missile strikes. 99% of the drones and missiles were intercepted by Israel and its allies.
Iran’s attack was thwarted with the aid from not only the U.S., but other Middle Eastern Countries as well. Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates shot down drones and missiles aimed at striking Israel, according to NBC News.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE passed along intelligence to the US and Israel before Iran’s missile attack. Advanced warnings from the Arab countries helped Israel intercept the drone and missile strikes.
In response, Israel launched a retaliatory strike against Iran on April 19. Three missiles were fired from Israeli aircraft in the early Friday morning attack.
Officials say the Israeli military was targeting an air defense site near Isfahan. Reports say the strike destroyed the air defense site, but a damage report is still ongoing.
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said at a press conference on April 19 that he would not comment on Israel’s attack. However, he denies any U.S. involvement in Israel’s retaliation attack on Iran.
Western allies have urged for a de-escalation of retaliatory force between Israel and Iran. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told NBC News, “everything possible must be done to avoid escalation in the Middle East.”
In the Middle East, Egypt is urging Israel and Iran to use restraint as retaliating strikes risk all-out war in the region. Egyptian officials said they would do their best to maintain contact with both countries to maintain the conflict.
