Iran has initiated an unprecedented direct military assault on Israel, named ‘Operation True Promise’, by targeting major Israeli locations with drones and missiles. This response is against a recent Israeli strike in Damascus, escalating tensions and drawing global condemnation.
Iran has launched a historic and unprecedented direct assault on Israel, codenamed “Operation True Promise,” involving dozens of drones and missiles. This aggressive move comes as a retaliatory act for a recent Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic facility in Damascus. Announced on April 14, 2024, the attack targeted several key locations within Israel, including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and the Dimona nuclear plant area. However, most of the Iranian projectiles were intercepted outside Israeli borders, with a few causing minor damage within Israel.
In reaction to the drone and missile attacks, which marked the first direct military engagement between Iran and Israel, global leaders have voiced strong condemnations. The escalating tension drew immediate international attention, with the United States and the United Kingdom assisting in neutralizing some threats over Jordan, Iraq, and Syria. President Joe Biden of the United States underscored his administration’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s security by shooting down attack drones aimed at Israel and by returning urgently to the White House to deal with the crisis.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump responded to the incidents by asserting that such events would not have happened under his administration, and criticized President Biden’s immediate responses to the attacks.
Iran’s decision to execute this large-scale strike is explained by its recent access to a significant £800 million military fund, enabling the deployment of advanced weaponry including Shahed kamikaze drones and precision-guided missiles capable of reaching key Israeli cities. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard has also suffered casualties from the prior Israeli strikes on its embassy in Damascus which partly motivated the attack.
As the situation develops, international concern is growing over the potential for this conflict to expand further, affecting regional stability and involving more global powers. Leaders from across the world are calling for restraint to prevent any further escalation in the Middle East.
