Jordan shut down its airspace in advance. Israel closed its schools and educational centers in anticipation. And, as predicted, Iran launched missiles at Israel on Saturday, using a combination of drones and other aircraft. Iran also captured a Portuguese ship in the shipping lanes of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, saying the ship has ties to Israel.
The aggression was in retaliation for Israel’s attack on Iran’s embassy in Syria two weeks ago, when Israel took out top terrorists with a missile strike. Israel is attacking Iran because it is one of the prime sponsors of terrorism and underwrites the Hamas fighters that started the war on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
“Iran launched UAVs from within its territory toward Israel a short while ago. The IDF [Israel Defense Forces] is on high alert and is constantly monitoring the operational situation. The IDF Aerial Defense Array is on high alert, along with IAF fighter jets and Israeli Navy vessels that are on a defense mission in Israeli air and naval space. The IDF is monitoring all targets,” the Israel Defense Forces said.
A day earlier, a reported 40 launches were identified crossing from Lebanese territory, some of which were intercepted, the IDF said.
On Friday, during an address to Al Sharpton’s National Action Network group, President Biden said his message to Iran is “don’t” attack Israel, but had just predicted an attack would come “sooner than later.”
FlightRadar.com showed that the Israeli “doomsday plane” had left the country’s airspace and may have Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on board.
“Iran will bear the consequences for choosing to escalate the situation any further,” said IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari in a broadcast statement:
