Written by Jillian Shaw | April 8, 2024
Iranian Missiles Over Al-Aqsa
Iran launched missile and drone strikes at Israel between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. EST on Saturday, April 13th. This was done in response to the death of seven Iranian officials from an Israeli airstrike in early April. Iran has been particularly critical of Israel during Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip, after the Hamas attack on October 7th, 2023.
Israeli officials described the attack as a “major escalation” and are prepared to “do whatever is required” to protect Israel. Ballistic and cruise missiles have been sent thus far, as well as hundreds of drones. It has been reported that most were intercepted by the Israeli Iron Dome air defense system. U.S. forces in the region also intercepted Iranian missiles, as well as other unnamed “strategic partners.” Notably, Iran has taken full responsibility for the attack, updating social media about the attack and telling Iranian media that they had sent the strikes “towards the occupied territories and positions of the Zionist regime.”
The international community quickly reprimanded Iran’s attack, with U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres sharing that he was “deeply alarmed about the very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation.” National leaders from the U.S., U.K., France, Egypt, France, Argentina, and others have all admonished the strike and shared concerns about it as an unprecedented event. Iran has never before directly attacked Israel, although Iranian proxy groups like Hezbollah and Hamas have.
U.S. President Joe Biden has affirmed his support for the Israeli government and spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the phone this evening. However, no direct military assistance by U.S. forces was confirmed. Biden is expected to meet with the National Security Council after he returns to Washington D.C. The Iranian representative to the United Nations took to X to state that the “U.S. MUST STAY AWAY!” and not involve itself further.
This situation represents a major escalation in the region which will deteriorate relations between countries and increase the possibility of conflict spreading.
The Patterson Journal of International Affairs 