The Italian Embassy in Tehran has announced that its consulate will be closed to the public from April 14 until further notice. The embassy said that essential consular services for Italian citizens will continue to be provided.
The closure comes after the German Embassy in Tehran issued a warning to its citizens in Iran that the security situation in the region and Iran is likely to worsen.
Several countries, including France, Canada, Australia, the US have warned their citizens against travel to Israel, the Palestinian territories, Lebanon and Iran, amid heightened tensions.
The Iranian government has taken legal action against a number of newspapers and influential journalists who failed to reiterate its rhetoric regarding the attack on Israel in their publications.
Prominent 'reformist' commentator Abbas Abdi, investigative journalist Hossein Dehbashi, and whistle-blower Yashar Soltani, who recently exposed a prominent cleric's corruption, have been accused of “compromising national security" following their comments regarding Iran's attack on Israel's soil.
(From left) Yashar Solatni, Abbas Abdi, Hossein Dehbashi
The punitive measures extend beyond journalists to include citizens. On Sunday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) threatened to take action against any online expression of support for Israel.
The Iranian government launched over 350 drones and missiles into Israel on Saturday night in retaliation for an airstrike on its consulate compound in Damascus on April 1, for which they blamed Israel. Several members of the IRGC, including two top commanders, were killed in the attack.
In spite of regime celebrations of the attack, Abdi remained outspoken, claiming, "Contrary to popular belief, I believe that Israel's attack was a reaction which does not require Iran's response and reaction." Over 700 journalists have been arrested since the 2022 uprising with more crackdowns expected in the wake of the bombardment, Iran among the world's least safe places for journalists. At home and abroad, the regime has sought to silence voices of dissent, including attacks on Iran International journalists abroad.
Follow developments on Iran International'sLive coverageof ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel.
In its attack on Israel, Iran launched more than 300 killer drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles on Israeli territory.
Contrary to the Islamic Republic’s armed forces chief, who claimed the attack “achieved all its objectives,” the IDF spokesperson reports that 99% of the threats were intercepted by the air defense system, resulting in negligible impact.
Read more to know how Israel’s defense shield system intercepted 99% of Iran’s missiles.
In its attack on Israel, Iran launched more than 300 killer drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles on Israeli territory, IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari confirmed this weekend.
The unprecedented attack on Israel -- the territory of a key US ally -- though anticipated, was unparalleled.
Contrary to the Islamic Republic’s armed forces chief, who claimed the attack “achieved all its objectives,” the IDF spokesperson reports that 99% of the threats were intercepted by the air defense system, resulting in negligible impact.
Iran used 170 drones, 120 ballistic missiles, and 30 cruise missile in its attack on Israel.
On April 12, at approximately 9:33 pm London time, Tehran confirmed the initiation of its attack.
A wave of drones was dispatched from Iran, some 1200 kilometers away, towards Israel.
An Iranian Shahed 136 Drone, with the maximum speed of 185 k/h takes hours to cover a distance of 1200 kilometers -- suggesting that Israel had a heads-up several hours in advance. Missiles were launched almost an hour later, according to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IRGC).
Iranian Shahed 136 Drone
The Iron Dome is commonly recognised as Israel's primary defense against missiles and rockets. But, Israel's defense shield consists of five layers -- with the Iron Dome counting as one. In preparation for such an attack, Israel has been developing its air defense system for the past 15 years.
Its first tier, the Iron beam, destroys the projectile with a pillar of laser light. Like the Iron Dome, its detection radar becomes active, and the laser gun targets the objective. It is used for short-range missiles and artillery shells. It fills the blind spot of the Iron Dome. According to the IDF it is yet to be operational.
The second tier, the most renowned, is the Iron Dome. When a rocket is fired towards Israel, the rocket radar detects and tracks it. The control system estimates the impact point, and finally the nearest launcher engages and launches a missile towards the rocket. The success rate of the Iron Dome system is close to 96%, meaning out of 100 rockets, 4 of them may hit Israeli soil.
David's Sling: Israel’s military system named after the biblical story of David and Goliath. This third tier can target drones, aircraft, medium to long-range missiles, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles covering ranges from 40 to 300 kilometers. It has the capability to provide coverage for all of Israel from a single point. David's Sling was responsible for shooting down the HamasAyyash 250 rocket on October 13, 2023.
According to the IDF, the Israeli Air Force and its allies successfully intercepted and destroyed all 170 drones and 30 cruise missiles outside the country's borders.
Of the 120 ballistic missiles that crossed into Israeli airspace, the IDF reported that the long-range Arrow air defense system successfully intercepted the overwhelming majority.
Arrow 2 and Arrow 3, considered the top tiers of Israel’s multilayered air defenses, complement each other, and track and destroy missiles and rockets with ranges up to 2400 kilometers.
The second factor contributing to the limited impact came from Israel's allies: fighter jets stepped up to boost interception capabilities.
Reports indicate that jets from the US, UK, France, and Jordan formed a robust barrier against the onslaught of drones and missiles from the Islamic Republic.
US forces hit over 80 one-way attack drones, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Monday – meaning that the US downed 47% of Iran’s launched drones.
This was the first-ever attack from Iranian soil on Israel.
An attack that diverted attention from the Gaza war towards the Islamic Republic and united the international community in support of Israel and condemnation of the Iranian government.
Now, as the IRGC authorities declare the conclusion of their operation, Israel asserts that the battle is far from over, hinting at a forthcoming retaliation against the Islamic Republic.
But, for the time being Israel’s next move remains uncertain.
The European Union's foreign policy chief said on Monday the Middle East stood "on the edge of the cliff" and called for de-escalation in the conflict between Israel and Iran.
"We're on the edge of the cliff and we have to move away from it," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told Spanish radio station Onda Cero. "We have to step on the brakes and reverse gear."
Borrell said he expected a response from Israel to the unprecedented aerial attack by Iran but hoped it would not spark further escalation.
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell
He said there was "profound division" within the Israel's right-wing governing coalition between hardliners seeking fierce retaliation and a "more moderate and sensible" faction.
That faction advocates for retaliation, Borrell said, "but in a way that avoids a response to the response".
Borrell, who spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian late on Sunday, said the EU needed to have the best possible relations with Iran despite the sanctions the bloc has imposed on the Islamic Republic over its disputed nuclear energy programme and other issues.
"It's in everyone's interest that Iran does not become a nuclear power and that the Middle East is pacified," he noted.
Israel's military announced that life would resume as normal on Monday in the wake of the Iranian missile and drone onslaught.
Schools were ordered to return and gatherings were given the green light in safe areas not affected by the Gaza war and Hezbollah bombardments in Israel's north.
"Following a situational assessment, it was determined that as of 00:00 Israel time tonight (Monday), changes will be made to the Home Front Command’s defensive guidelines," the announcement from the IDF said.
Initial warnings had braced the country for several days of possible strikes with many in the country working from home and postponing meetings awaiting new instructions.
On Saturday, Iran launched hundreds of projectiles towards the Jewish state in retaliation for an alleged Israeli airstrike on its consulate compound in Damascus this month.
The strike killed a top IRGC commander, the highest ranking assassination since the US killed Qassem Soleimani in 2020, along with several other IRGC top brass.
Iran's attack was the first time Tehran gave the command to strike Israel from Iranian soil, usually commanding its proxies in the region to act. In the wake of the Iran-backed Hamas attack, Israel has come under fire from Iran's militias in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen as the regime continues its bid to annihilate the Jewish state.
The aerial bombardment was deemed a failure in the West as Israel was joined by its allies the US, UK, France and even Jordan, to intercept the attacks, 99 percent of which was foiled. Multiple projectiles were also launched by proxies alongside the Iranian attack, but there were no deaths. One seven-year-old girl remains in a critical condition after shrapnel injuries in Israel's south.
In Jerusalem, home to the Muslim holy site at the heart of the Israel-Palestine conflict, projectiles threatened even the most treasured Al Quds, with Israeli defense systems protecting the Old City.
