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Iran has sent a wave of drones toward Israel, a U.S. official told USA TODAY Saturday, as the country steps up preparations to attack Iran amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
The official was not authorized to speak publicly.
“The Israel Defense Forces are on high alert and constantly monitoring the operational situation,” the Israeli military said. The Israel Defense Forces said its fighter jets and naval vessels were “on a defensive mission in Israeli airspace.”
Adrian Watson, a spokesperson for the US National Security Council, said the attack was “likely to unfold over several hours”. Watson said President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet with his national security team at the White House on Saturday afternoon and is updating them on the situation.
“President Biden is clear: Our support for Israel’s security is unwavering. The United States stands with the Israeli people and will help defend Israel against these threats from Iran,” Watson said in a statement.
Israel’s top-rated channel 12 TV News said it could take several hours for the dozens of drones launched to arrive. Retired General Amos Yadlin told the channel that the drone was loaded with 20kg of explosives. The Israeli military said it would sound sirens in areas under threat.
Iran has threatened to retaliate for the April 1 attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, killing seven military commanders. Iran has blamed Israel for the attack, but Israel has neither admitted nor denied involvement.
“Our country is currently on high alert,” Tal Heinrich, a spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, told Fox News Channel’s Kabuto Live before the drones were sent. “We do not want war… but we will do whatever it takes to protect ourselves. We hope that Iran does not make further mistakes and push us into further escalation. Because they will bear the consequences.”
Biden returned to the White House on Saturday afternoon to meet with national security advisers about events in the Middle East, cutting short a weekend trip to Delaware, the White House said in a statement.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Saturday to “defend Israel from any attack by Iran and its regional proxies,” according to a reading of the call provided by the Pentagon Press Service. “We have made clear that Israel can count on the full support of the United States,” Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan also confirmed the United States’ “firm commitment to Israel’s security” in a telephone conversation with Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi Sullivan. Said Saturday.
A nationwide ban on educational activities was declared in Israel starting Saturday. In areas close to fighting and Palestinian territories, beaches were closed and gatherings were limited to between 30 and 300 people, depending on location and whether they were held indoors or outdoors.
Developmental status:
∎ On Saturday, Iraq and Jordan temporarily closed their airspace after Iran fired a drone at Israel.
■ At least 33,686 Palestinians have been killed in besieged Gaza and 76,309 injured since Hamas militants rioted in southern Israel on October 7, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry. . The ministry announced on Saturday that 52 Palestinians had been killed and 95 injured in the past 24 hours.
∎ Canada on Saturday became the latest country to warn its citizens against traveling to Israel and the Palestinian territories amid growing threats of attacks against Israel. The U.S. State Department on Thursday issued a warning for U.S. embassy staff to remain in the greater Tel Aviv area. France also warned its citizens to “absolutely refrain” from traveling to Iran, Lebanon, Israel and the Palestinian Territories in the coming days.
Iran is preparing missiles for potential attack, US official says
Iran has been observed preparing cruise missiles for use in attacks on Israel, according to U.S. officials briefed on the matter.
Meanwhile, national security officials remained focused Saturday on Iran’s next move, another official said. Both officials were not authorized to speak publicly.
Biden acknowledged Friday that U.S. intelligence indicates an Iranian attack on Israel could happen soon. Iran has vowed to retaliate for the April 1 airstrike. Iran blames Israel for the airstrike. Israel has not publicly acknowledged its role in the attack.
Iran’s expected retaliation comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East as fighting between Israel and Hamas continues. The Pentagon is beefing up defenses for tens of thousands of U.S. troops stationed in the region ahead of the prospect of an imminent attack on Israel and Western interests.
more:Israelis ask if the world has forgotten the hostages, six months after October 7 trauma
more:Pregnant woman in Gaza faces starvation without anesthesia after six months of war
Iranian military seizes Israeli-linked ship in Strait of Hormuz
Members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards seized an Israeli-linked cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday.
Iranian state media reported that the MSC Aries, flying the Portuguese flag, was taken into Iranian territorial waters. The ship’s operator, MSC, confirmed the seizure by Iran and said it was working with authorities to ensure its return and the safety of the crew.
The crew includes Indians, Filipinos, Pakistanis, Russians and Estonians, according to White House National Security Council Press Secretary Adrian Watson. Watson said the “seizure of a civilian vessel without any provocation is a clear violation of international law” and an act of piracy.
“We strongly condemn Iran’s seizure of the Portuguese-flagged, British-owned MSC AIRES in international waters,” Watson said. X.
Ship accident occurs during Houthi attack in Red Sea
Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have been attacking ships in the Red Sea for months, saying they target vessels linked to Israel.
The vessel seized on Saturday was owned by Gotal Shipping, an affiliate of Zodiac Maritime. Zodiac is partly owned by an Israeli businessman. Zodiac said in a statement that MSC leases Aries and is responsible for its activities.
Israeli military spokesman Maj. Gen. Daniel Hagari said, “Iran will suffer the consequences of choosing to escalate this situation further.”
Hasan al-Hasan, an analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told Reuters that if the seizure of the ship was in retaliation for the April 1 attack, it would be Iran’s intention to save face without escalating the regional conflict. He said it may indicate. “Iran may be trying to exploit concerns that it could disrupt shipping through the strait, which is a more important passageway for global oil and gas supplies than the Red Sea,” al-Hasan said. .
Body of missing Israeli girl found
Israeli officials said the body of a 14-year-old boy who went missing near the Marakei Shalom outpost on Friday morning was found in the West Bank on Saturday.
The Israeli military said Binyamin Ashmer’s death was a “terrorist attack,” while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to find the culprit.
On Friday, Israeli forces searched “by air and on the ground” as a group of Israeli settlers attacked a nearby Palestinian village, torching houses and cars overnight. One person was killed and several others injured in the conflict, Palestinian officials said.
Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal under international law by most countries around the world, and Israel objects to this. The settlements are populated by Israeli nationals in occupied territory.
Contributed by: Reuters
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