Iran has launched a widely expected, but still unprecedented drone and missile barrage from its territory against targets in Israel.
"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.
Unconfirmed imagery is also beginning to emerge purportedly showing Iranian missiles and drones on their way toward Israel.
"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."
Israel has convened an emergency meeting of its War Cabinet in response to Iran's actions.
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.
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.
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.
"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.
