--- title: "Iran’s Retaliatory Strikes Have Begun (Updated)" date: "2024-04-13" modified: "2024-04-14" authors: - name: "The War Zone staff" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/the-war-zone-staff" url: "https://www.twz.com/news-features/irans-retaliatory-strikes-have-begun" categories: - "Around The Globe" - "Iran" - "Israel" - "Middle East" - "News & Features" --- # Iran’s Retaliatory Strikes Have Begun (Updated) ![]() *Torsten via Wikicommons/The War Zone* Iranian authorities have announced that they have launched a large number of missiles and drones from their territory at targets in Israel. Israeli officials subsequently confirmed their claim. The attack is in retaliation for an Israeli strike on a consular building right next to the Iranian Embassy in Syria's capital Damascus [on April 1](). The entire region has been on edge since then, as you can read more about in *The War Zone*'s previous reporting [here](). "The IRGC’s \[Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps'\] Aerospace Division launched tens of missiles and drones against certain targets inside \[Israel\]," an IRGC statement read according to Iran's state-run *PressTV.* The IRGC has dubbed their retaliation operation True Promise. The exact numbers of missiles and drones, and what types, are unknown. There are reports that as many as 100 drones may now be in flight. https://twitter.com/vvanwilgenburg/status/1779249599447699739 https://twitter.com/phildstewart/status/1779253637660778833?s=46&t=cbCZ6V64euYCCy5V9r9oiQ Unconfirmed imagery is also beginning to emerge purportedly showing Iranian missiles and drones on their way toward Israel. https://twitter.com/worldsource24/status/1779251281221013630?s=46 https://twitter.com/Tammuz_Intel/status/1779237316583649371?t=39nvYLdgVcnAHFXAoPOC3g https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1779260128593650164?s=46 https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1779262594534056348 https://twitter.com/osinttechnical/status/1779263233951490132?s=46&t=cbCZ6V64euYCCy5V9r9oiQ "Iran has launched a direct attack from Iranian soil towards the state of Israel. We are closely monitoring Iranian killer drones that are en route sent by Iran. This is a severe and dangerous escalation," Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a statement. "Our defensive and offensive capabilities are at the highest level of readiness ahead of this large-scale attack from Iran. Together, with our partners, the Israel Defense Force is operating at full force to defend the state of Israel and the people of Israel." https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1779253657185251522 https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1779242779182288964 Israel has convened an emergency meeting of its War Cabinet in response to Iran's actions. https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1779257559653797929 Israeli authorities say that GPS coverage in certain areas [of the country will be disrupted]() as part of its response to Iran's strikes. This is part of efforts to disrupt the guidance systems on the incoming weapons. https://twitter.com/fab_hinz/status/1779245667283566995?s=46&t=cbCZ6V64euYCCy5V9r9oiQ Exactly when any of these Iranian threats might reach Israel is unclear. The IDF [has said]() that the drones would have to travel at least around 1,100 miles (1,800 kilometers), which would take them hours. This distance also indicates that they were launched from well within Iran given that the shortest distance between that country and Israel is only around 600 miles (965 kilometers). Staging various launches of disparate weapons to arrive around the same time at their targets in Israel could very well be part of Iran's plan. This would help overwhelm[ Israel's extensive air defense network](). https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel/status/1779269663001870535 A number of countries in the region, including Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Egypt, as well as Iran and Israel, have closed their airspaces to normal air traffic in response to the Iranian operation. https://twitter.com/IntelCrab/status/1779235833272213574 https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1779257751576719640 https://twitter.com/Charles_Lister/status/1779231074742055279 https://twitter.com/afp/status/1779257352559960373 https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1779248855168450952 "Iran has begun an airborne attack against Israel. President Biden is being regularly updated on the situation by his national security team and will meet with them this afternoon at the White House. His team is in constant communication with Israeli officials as well as other partners and allies," Adrienne Watson, a spokesperson for the National Security Council at the White House, said in a statement. "This attack is likely to unfold over a number of hours. President Biden has been clear: our support for Israel’s security is ironclad. The United States will stand with the people of Israel and support their defense against these threats from Iran." The full scale and scope of Iran's strikes very much remain to be seen, as well as what responses might come from Israel and its partners, especially the United States in its aftermath. Regardless, this is an unprecedented situation that will have impacts throughout the region. This is a rapidly developing situation and we will continue to update this story as more information becomes available. ***Update 6:40 PM EST:*** Iranian state media is now reporting that ballistic missiles, in addition to cruise missiles and drones, are being employed in the strikes on Israel. It remains unclear what specific types of weapons Iran has employed in these strikes. Iranian quasi-state media outlets have shared stock footage showing what look to be variants or derivatives [of the Fateh-110 ballistic missile]() and [Shahed-136 kamikaze drones]() as part of their coverage of the strikes. https://twitter.com/IrnaEnglish/status/1779263628744524022 https://twitter.com/leventkemaI/status/1779262696082289087 There are unconfirmed reports that some Iranian missiles and/or drones are already being intercepted. There are similarly unconfirmed reports that Israel's foreign partners may be involved in these defensive operations. U.S. authorities had publicly pledged this past week to support Israel in its defense against any incoming threats from Iran and/or its regional proxies. https://twitter.com/Elad_Si/status/1779252231054704695 https://twitter.com/Faytuks/status/1779275534590947761 https://twitter.com/Faytuks/status/1779274645608288660 https://twitter.com/DavidADaoud/status/1779255304292647404 Israeli officials reportedly believe areas in the Golan Heights and an air base in the Negev Desert are among the primary targets of Iran's strikes, according to the *New York Times*. A separate report from *ABC News* says that Iran appears to only be targeting Israeli military sites. https://twitter.com/AricToler/status/1779266302709743624 https://twitter.com/Faytuks/status/1779262218011357225 Unconfirmed reports say that the U.S. government detected the initial launch of Iranian drones from its territory and passed details on to its Israeli counterparts, helping give them advance notice. How this was done is not clear, but the U.S. military has highly capable space-based early warning systems, especially the [Space-Based Infrared System]() (SBIRS) constellation. SBIRS is primarily designed to watch for ballistic missiles, but is reportedly sensitive enough to detect much smaller thermal signatures, as well. https://twitter.com/Faytuks/status/1779239428881272856 https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel/status/1779271492712452105 Iran's Permanent Mission to the United Nations has also issued a statement citing Article 51 of that organization's charter, which recognizes the inherent right to self-defense of any country, in justifying its strikes on Israel. "The matter can be deemed concluded. However, should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe," the statement added. https://twitter.com/iran_un/status/1779269993043022053 However, Israeli authorities have already pledged a "clear and decisive" response to the Iranian strikes. There continue to be a variety of potential scenarios for how the situation may or may not escalate. https://twitter.com/leventkemaI/status/1779276161320652903 https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel/status/1779275735284506718 ***Update 6:55 PM EST:*** The IDF has now publicly issued a notice instructing citizens in the Northern Golan Heights, the Nevatim area in the Negev, Dimona (where the country's main nuclear facility is situated), and the port city of Eilat to be prepared to enter bomb shelters. Air raid sirens are already reportedly beginning to sound across those areas. https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1779275443457110183 https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1779279759744074097 Iranian media is reporting that Iranian strikes on Israel may come in multiple waves, with more still to come. Video footage has emerged claiming to show more recent launches from the Tehran area. https://twitter.com/Faytuks/status/1779276241419309208 https://twitter.com/Faytuks/status/1779278696056049775 Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon have also now launched their own rocket attacks on areas in the Golan. https://twitter.com/alihashem_tv/status/1779267156451942688 https://twitter.com/TheIntelFrog/status/1779263221465059564 ***Update 7:00 PM EST:*** Videos and pictures reportedly showing Israeli air defenses in action against incoming Iranian missiles and/or drones are now beginning to emerge. Some of the imagery is said to show intercepts occurring over or near Jerusalem. https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1779281588901085201 https://twitter.com/Faytuks/status/1779281781520310768 https://twitter.com/Global_Mil_Info/status/1779282189974176099 https://twitter.com/GabiAMitchell/status/1779281972562473153 https://twitter.com/IntelDoge/status/1779281998936183245 https://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/1779282359671464151 ***Update 7:20 PM EST:*** There are now reports that some Iranian drones and/or missiles have impacted in Israel's Negev Desert region. Israeli authorities are saying that, at least so far, there have been no casualties from Iran's drone and missile strikes. https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1779283566620237855 https://twitter.com/Mdais/status/1779283136540447189 Additional imagery footage of intercepts in the skies of Israel continues to emerge. https://twitter.com/i24NEWS_EN/status/1779283539009159632 https://twitter.com/Faytuks/status/1779288209689583994 Jordanian forces are now reportedly among those that have shot down Iranian drones heading toward Israel. https://twitter.com/DocumentIsrael/status/1779288019557556387 https://twitter.com/AuroraIntel/status/1779287216423948620 https://twitter.com/Leoncasinos/status/1779281316854280618 https://twitter.com/Faytuks/status/1779284737401459114 Iran's Defense Minister Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani has issued a statement saying that any country that allows the use of its airspace for any retaliation strikes on Iran would face a decisive response. https://twitter.com/RudawEnglish/status/1779274662590980576 There are also now unconfirmed reports of possible attacks on bases that host U.S. forces in Iraq, including Al Asad Air Base, as well as in Erbil, the capital of the country's semi-autonomous Kurdish region in the north. Iran has reportedly held the United States also responsible for the April 1 strike in Damascus. https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1779284075187966398 https://twitter.com/Charles_Lister/status/1778885785623650372 ***Update 7:45 PM EST:*** We now have what looks to be our first imagery of Iranian missiles impacting in Israel. https://twitter.com/sererojonathan/status/1779288580096917877 https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1779288760842166583 Israeli authorities say they have intercepted 99% of the drones and missiles Iran has launched so far, according to a report from the country's *N12* news outlet. They have also pledged a major response to the strikes. https://twitter.com/N12News/status/1779291106787680280 The IRGC has put out another statement warning the United States against supporting any Israeli retaliation. https://twitter.com/yashar/status/1779290253750358144 The governments of the United Kingdom and France have both issued statements condemning Iran's actions against Israel and warning about further instability in the region. https://twitter.com/faytuks/status/1779257224868553082?s=46&t=cbCZ6V64euYCCy5V9r9oiQ https://twitter.com/steph_sejourne/status/1779261957553418285 ***Update 8:00 PM EST:*** There are unconfirmed reports that as many as seven Iranian ballistic missiles may have hit Nevatim Air Base in the Negev Desert. https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1779296931904102500 *ABC News* has reported that Iran has launched 70 more cruise and ballistic, citing an anonymous U.S. government official. This would bring the total number of reported Iranian missiles fired at Israel to approximately 150. U.S. officials have previously said that Iranian forces could ultimately launch between 400 and 500 missiles and drones as part of their retaliatory operation. https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1779296365006164150 https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1779258655205949537 ***Update 8:30 PM EST:*** The IDF has issued a new statement saying that Iranian ballistic missiles have caused minor damage to an Israeli military base in the Negev. However, spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said that most of the ballistic missiles targeting that base were intercepted outside of Israeli airspace by [Arrow-series interceptors](). He also said that Israeli combat jets have shot down dozens of incoming drones and cruise missiles. https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1779300209048027228 https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1779296359583011295?s=46&t=WGR8ATVuYlDW934sMHUUhQ A video has also now emerged that may show an exoatmospheric intercept of an Iranian ballistic missile heading toward Israel. https://twitter.com/aviation_intel/status/1779305849003094214?s=46&t=WGR8ATVuYlDW934sMHUUhQ A 10-year-old girl was injured during the strikes in the Negev, but reportedly as [a result an interception]() rather than from an Iranian muntion actually hitting a target. https://twitter.com/Mdais/status/1779300009839616112 "In accordance with our ironclad commitment to Israel's security, U.S. forces in the region continue to shoot down Iranian-launched drones targeting Israel," a U.S. defense official also told *The War Zone*. "Our forces remain postured to provide additional defensive support and to protect U.S. forces operating in the region." Given the volume of incoming Iranian threats, Israel's air and missile defense network will have to prioritize which ones to respond to, such as ones heading for major population centers or critical facilities. It is inevitable that some missiles and drones will get through, possibly even as a result of a deliberate decision to conserve resources to ensure adequate defenses around higher-priority targets. https://twitter.com/aviation_intel/status/1779303327140041062?s=46&t=WGR8ATVuYlDW934sMHUUhQ U.S. President Joe Biden has concluded another meeting with his national security team on Iran's strikes on Israel. There are reports he is now expected to speak directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about response options. https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1779289588890010044 https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1779299546083787097 Israeli Minister of Defense Yaov Gallant has also spoken directly with his American counterpart, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, tonight. https://twitter.com/JoeTruzman/status/1779299492204019943 *CNN* has reported, citing unnamed U.S. officials, that American forces in the region do not appear, so far, to have been directly targeted by Iran or its proxies. https://twitter.com/diyarkurda/status/1779299942227460187 ***Update 9:05 PM EST:*** The IDF has now released video footage of combat jets during operations tonight in response to Iran's strikes, as well as personnel in a command post. https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1779308995116663274 Additional video footage of Iran's ballistic missile strikes in the Negev, as well as what may be exoatmospheric intercepts of some of those weapons, has emerged. https://twitter.com/AuroraIntel/status/1779311834073382987 https://twitter.com/ManiacMagic1/status/1779306352432517354 The IDF Home Front Command has reportedly lifted its call for residents in areas of northern and southern Israel to remain near bomb shelters. https://twitter.com/i24NEWS_EN/status/1779308846734885237 Israel's War Cabinet is set to meet later on Sunday to discuss response options to Iran's strikes, according to *Axios*' Barak Ravid. https://twitter.com/BarakRavid/status/1779308964255010999 Israeli authorities have also called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council over Iran's actions. Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, has already called for the organization to condemn the strikes. https://twitter.com/BarakRavid/status/1779306304655249759 https://twitter.com/giladerdan1/status/1779311719870787780?s=12 There are now indications that reports of possible attacks in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region tonight may have been Iranian drones and/or missiles bound for Israel being intercepted. https://twitter.com/RudawEnglish/status/1779312702726218206 ***Update 9:35 PM EST:*** There are reports that a number of Iranian drones are still in the air heading toward targets in Israel. https://twitter.com/Faytuks/status/1779316874993336542 https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1779317786906403223 The IDF is continuing to assess the situation. https://twitter.com/joetruzman/status/1779318693048234129?s=12 British authorities are bolstering their country's military presence in the Middle East "in response to increased Iranian threats and the growing risk of escalation" in the region, according to a statement from the U.K. Ministry of Defense. "We have moved several additional Royal Air Force jets and air refuelling tankers to the region. ... these UK jets will intercept any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions, as required." https://twitter.com/defencehq/status/1779303169178153004 There continues to be a massive disruption in regional air traffic due to tonight's events. https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1779319878412845334 ***Update 9:55 PM EST:*** Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has now spoken directly with U.S. President Joe Biden about Iran's missile and drone strikes in a call that reportedly lasted around 25 minutes. https://twitter.com/BarakRavid/status/1779321504573927794 All eyes are turning to how Israel may respond. Though Iran's strikes so far look to have been largely unsuccessful in terms of damage and casualties caused, they are a clear demonstration of the country's ability and willingness to take action against Israel directly. https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel/status/1779324755306516680 "As far as I know at the moment, the damage is very limited, thanks to the success of the defense systems we have and the U.S. interceptions above Iraq," Eyal Hulata, a senior international fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the first foreign visiting fellow at FDD headquarters, told *The War Zone* tonight. "I don't know of other countries involved in the interceptions, but it might be that friendly Arab countries participated with the US in their efforts." "If it wasn't for that, there would probably be an enormous amount of civilian damage," Hulat continued. "I must admit that I am surprised, the volume they fired was huge, and the proximity to our major cities, especially Jerusalem, was dangerous. One must ask what they were thinking, to what extent they thought we were weak and that the US isn't really on our side – they are wrong in both and this must be proven publicly and clearly. "As for Israel's response – too early to say," Hulat said. "I would argue that Israel must respond, but more importantly the international community must respond – Iran must be isolated, the ballistic missiles sanctions that were removed last year must be restored and a strategic coalition must be created in the Gulf to deter them from ever doing this again to us or to any other U.S. ally." ***UPDATE: 11:15 PM EST—*** Official statement from President Biden: *Earlier today, Iran—and its proxies operating out of Yemen, Syria and Iraq—launched an unprecedented air attack against military facilities in Israel. I condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms.* *At my direction, to support the defense of Israel, the U.S. military moved aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the region over the course of the past week. Thanks to these deployments and the extraordinary skill of our servicemembers, we helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles.* *I’ve just spoken with Prime Minister Netanyahu to reaffirm America’s ironclad commitment to the security of Israel. I told him that Israel demonstrated a remarkable capacity to defend against and defeat even unprecedented attacks – sending a clear message to its foes that they cannot effectively threaten the security of Israel.* *Tomorrow, I will convene my fellow G7 leaders to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack. My team will engage with their counterparts across the region. And we will stay in close touch with Israel’s leaders. And while we have not seen attacks on our forces or facilities today, we will remain vigilant to all threats and will not hesitate to take all necessary action to protect our people.* Hezbollah says it launched a rocket barrage into the Golan Heights. This is not anything new, but an indication of additional proxy actions following the direct attack on Israeli territory by Iran. https://twitter.com/AFP/status/1779348484799545417 The house is moving to potentially bring forward legislation to support Israel. https://twitter.com/thehill/status/1779347652993225096 ***UPDATE: 12:08 PM EST—*** U.S. Navy warships were *reportedly* involved in the intercepts tonight. Destroyers were moved into position off Israel this week. This could have been the debut of the [SM-3 midcourse intercept capability](). This was [precisely what they were designed to do](). They could have augmented Israel's Arrow system to help tackle the surge threat, if those threats were inside the engagement envelope (they should have been) and deconflicted with Israel's integrated air defense system. Other U.S. ABM capabilities in the region could have been responsible too, but if ships in that position were involved in the defense of Israel, it may have included SM-3. *CNN* reports 70 drones and three ballistic missiles intercepted by U.S. forces in the region. https://twitter.com/OrenCNN/status/1779354029476159835 Here is the statement on today's events from Secretary of Defense Austin: *At the direction of President Biden, U.S. forces in the Middle East on April 13 intercepted dozens of missiles and UAVs en route to Israel, launched from Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen. Our forces remain postured to protect U.S. troops and partners in the region, provide further support for Israel’s defense, and enhance regional stability.* *We condemn these reckless and unprecedented attacks by Iran and its proxies, and we call on Iran to immediately halt any further attacks, including from its proxy forces, and to deescalate tensions. We do not seek conflict with Iran, but we will not hesitate to act to protect our forces and support the defense of Israel.* *I am grateful for the professionalism and the skill of the brave U.S. troops who took part in today’s actions and who continue to stand guard to prevent further conflict or escalation. I will continue to monitor the situation closely and to consult with our allies and partners.* Reports are emerging that Biden told Netanyahu that U.S. would not back a response. If this is true, this is major pressure now on Israel to deescalate and call this a win. This is what we posited was a possible outcome earlier in the day prior to the strikes, but Israel will Israel actually act in line with this is another question. The IDF would need the U.S. for a major campaign against Iran's nuclear program that aims to destroy not just degrade it. https://twitter.com/mj_lee/status/1779346158478889348 https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel/status/1779275735284506718 *Intercept metrics [now claimed by Israel: ]()* - 99% of threats were intercepted/did not reach Israeli territory. Combined figure of IDF, U.S., and allies' work. - 30 cruise missiles. Zero made it to Israeli territory. 25 intercepted by IAF fighters outside of Israeli airspace. - 120 ballistic missiles, just a 'few' struck Israel, with minimal infrastructure damage to Navatim Air Base in the Negev. Base is functioning as normal. - 130 drones were launched at Israel, none made it. - Other launches from Iraq and Yemen, but none hit Israel. - Israel claiming 99% effective collective air defense. An incredible number even if it is anywhere in the ballpark of reality. - No damage from Hezbollah barrage. Counterstrikes via the IAF hit positions in Lebanon. https://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/1779366061709680742 https://twitter.com/IAFsite/status/1779356796949303646 https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel/status/1779370911705317795 Israel has posted a pictures of an F-15I Ra'am loaded with a common counter air load out for the type, with a mix of Python, Sidewinder and Sparrow air-to-air missiles. F-15s are an ideal fighter for setting up persistent forward screens against drones and cruise missile. I have been told the AIM-7s remain very useful against small targets at close range due to their SARH capability. You can read more about AIM-7s continued IAF service [here](). ![]() ![]() ![]() Israel is reopening its airspace: https://twitter.com/Jerusalem_Post/status/1779376483447812507 *We have ended our updates to this story. You can find our continuing coverage of Iran's missile and drone strikes on Israel and their aftermath [here]().* *Contact the author:* [*joe@twz.com*]() *and tyler@twz.com* ### Author social links