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from https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/israel-hamas/2024/04/13/israel-war-updates-iran-ship/73311944007/

Iran launches dozens of drones at Israel in historic strike: Live updates Jeanine Santucci
Tom Vanden Brook
Francesca Chambers
Eduardo Cuevas
USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — For the first time ever, Iran launched an attack Saturday against Israel directly from its territory.

Iran sent a wave of drones toward Israel, a U.S. official told USA TODAY Saturday, as the country ramped up preparations for an Iranian strike
amid soaring Mideast tensions. The official was not authorized to speak publicly.

The Iranians had been observed preparing drones to attack Israel,
according to a second U.S. official briefed on the intelligence but not authorized to speak publicly.

The attacks were retaliation for a suspected Israeli airstrike on Iran’s embassy in Damascus, Syria last of Apr. 1. that killed seven
Revolutionary Guards officers including two senior commanders. The move
by Iran marks the most recent escalation in an inflamed Middle East that
has been building for half a year − ever since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack in
Israel detonated a retaliatory war against the militant group in the
Gaza Strip.

"Our defensive systems are deployed; we are ready for any scenario, both defensively and offensively," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
said in an address. "The State of Israel is strong."

Israel's military said fighter jets and navy vessels are "on a defense
mission in Israeli airspace."

The attack is "likely to unfold over a number of hours," U.S. National
Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said. President Joe Biden
is set to meet with his national security team at the White House on
Saturday afternoon and is being updated on the situation, Watson said.

"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," Watson said in a statement.

After the founding of the state of Israel in 1948, the small Mideast
country maintained relations with Iran − an outlier from other Muslim majority countries in the region. After Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution,
the two nations turned into fierce rivals.

Members of the Palestinian Civil Defense retrieve the bodies of
Palestinian citizens from under the rubble of homes destroyed during
Israeli airstrikes on April 13, 2024, in Khan Younis, Gaza.
Developments:

∎ Biden returned to the White House to meet with national security
advisers about events in the Mideast on Saturday afternoon, cutting
short a weekend trip to Delaware, the White House said in a statement.

∎ Iraq and Jordan temporarily closed their airspace as Iran launched
drones toward Israel Saturday.

∎ Canada on Saturday became the latest nation to warn its citizens
against any travel to Israel and the Palestinian territories amid
growing threats of attacks on Israel. The U.S. State Department issued a security alert to U.S. embassy personnel on Thursday to stay within the
greater Tel Aviv area. France also warned its citizens to "refrain
absolutely" from travel in the coming days to Iran, Lebanon, Israel and
the Palestinian territories.

Lawmakers respond to Iran attack on Israel
Reactions from lawmakers were largely divided among partisan lines, with
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La, stating the "Biden Administration's undermining of Israel and appeasement of Iran have contributed to these terrible developments," and GOP Rep. Mike Crenshaw, R-Texas, arguing
that "Biden signaled waning support for Israel. Now a potential war is erupting."

Other GOP lawmakers such as Sen. Roger Wicker, the top-ranking
Republican on the Armed Services Committee, and Rep. Mike McCaul,
chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, called on the U.S. to
stand with Israel.

“Our shared enemies, including Iran and their proxies, need to know our commitment is unwavering. We must join with Israel to ensure that Iran’s aggression is met with resolute action and resounding strength," Wicker, R-Miss., said.

Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada also said, "The United
States stands firmly with Israel and its right to defend itself against
attacks from Iran and its terrorist proxies."

The senator said she would keep working to get legislation passed that
provides additional military aid to Israel.

"What is happening now in the Middle East is why the house should have
voted for the Senate passed security bill that supports Israel, Ukraine,
and Taiwan in their fight for sovereignty and democratic principles,"
Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., said in a X post, calling the U.S. the
"backbone of the free world."

Drones key to Iran and its militias against U.S., Israel, researchers say Drones have been key to Iran and militant groups it supports to attack
U.S. forces and allies, according to the Iran Primer, a consortium of
scholars who study the country.

Iran first developed rudimentary drones during its war with Iraq in the
1980s, Iran Primer's article said Friday. Today, Iranian drones are used
for combat as suicide drones that explode on impact, or by traveling
long distances to launch munitions at targets. They are also used for surveillance to identify targets using photo and video.

Iran began sending drones to Hezbollah, the militant group it backs in
Lebanon, in the 2000s. In 2006, Hezbollah used drones against Israel in
its 34-day war. They’ve reportedly since been used against ISIS
militants, as well as in attacks in Saudi oilfields and in Iraq against
U.S. military and diplomatic targets. Since 2022, Iran has supplied
Russia with drones starting to use against civilian and military targets
in Ukraine. Iran’s use of drones has increased in Syria, Iraq and Jordan after the war began between Hamas and Israel. In January, an
Iranian-made drone killed three American soldiers in Jordan, while
Houthi militants, backed by Iran, used Iranian-designed drones to attack
ships in the Red Sea.

While some Iranian drones are small, carrying as little as 7 pounds of explosives, others can have payloads of up to 1,240 pounds. Many are
modeled on captured American drones, Iran Primer said.

Plans in place ahead of drones, defense not ‘hermetic,’ IDF says
Israel plans to cut GPS services in certain areas as part of its plan to counter Iran launching drones at the country, Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Daniel Hagari said in a briefing Saturday evening.

“The IDF and the Israeli Air Force are implementing the plan we prepared
in advance,” Hagari said in remarks. “As part of the preparations, GPS services will not be available in certain areas - the disruption is
deliberate and according to plan. If we detect additional threats with a shorter arrival time, we will update you immediately.”

Hagari reminded Israelis of Home Front Command, which helps prepare
civilians for conflicts or disasters. With sirens activated, IDF said
people must enter shelters and remain there for no less than 10 minutes,
though he said it could be longer. He encouraged Israelis to act
responsibly and calmly. The IDF remains cooperating with the U.S. and
partners in the region to counter launches and intercept them, he added. Protection includes the Israeli Air Force and Navy personnel, as well as
the Aerial Defense Array, which includes the Iron Dome Aerial Defense
System.

The defense is not “hermetic,” he said, adding it’s crucial to follow
the country's Home Front Command.

Handout photo dated February 3, 2020 shows an F/A-18F Super Hornet
assigned to the Fighting Swordsman of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32
taxis on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D.
Eisenhower (CVN 69) in the Atlantic Ocean. The USS Dwight Eisenhower
aircraft carrier has reportedly sailed north through the Red Sea toward
Israel in a show of deterrence from the Biden administration. The
carrier would be able to intercept missiles and drones fired by Iran.
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Aaron M.
Bewkes via ABACAPRESS.COM
U.S. promises to support Israel in face of Iran attack
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke Saturday with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and “made clear that Israel could count on full
U.S. support to defend Israel against any attacks by Iran and its
regional proxies,” according to a readout of their call provided by
Pentagon press secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan also affirmed the U.S.'
"ironclad commitment to the security of Israel" in a call with his
counterpart in Israel, Tzachi Hanegbi, Sullivan said Saturday.

Netanyahu said in an address he appreciates the U.S. and other allies'
support.

How long until the Iranian drones reach Israel?
The dozens of drones that were launched could take hours to arrive,
according to Israel's top-rated Channel 12 TV news. Retired general Amos
Yadlin told the channel the drones were equipped with 20 kg of
explosives. Israel's military said sirens will sound in any threatened
areas. Iran has threatened to retaliate for an April 1 attack on the
Iranian consulate in Damascus that killed seven of its military
commanders. Iran blames Israel for the attack, but Israel has not
confirmed or denied involvement.

Iran readies missiles for potential attack, US official says
Iran has been observed preparing cruise missiles for use in a potential
attack on Israel, according to a U.S. official briefed on the matter.

Meanwhile, national security officials remained focused Saturday on
Iran’s next steps, a second official said. Both officials were not
authorized to speak publicly.

Biden confirmed Friday that U.S. intelligence showed that an Iranian
attack on Israel could happen soon. Iran has vowed revenge for the April
1 airstrike. Iran blames Israel for the airstrike; Israel has not
publicly acknowledged its role in the attack.

Iran’s anticipated retaliation comes as tensions have spiked in the
Middle East as Israel’s war against Hamas continues. The Pentagon has bolstered defenses for the tens of thousands of U.S. troops in the
region in advance of the prospect of an imminent attack on Israel and
Western interests.

More:Israelis ask if world has forgotten their hostages six months after
the trauma of Oct. 7

More:Pregnant women in Gaza Strip face starvation, no anesthesia after 6
months of war

Iranian forces seize ship with ties to Israel in Strait of Hormuz
Members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard seized an Israel-linked cargo ship
in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday.

Iranian state media reported that the MSC Aries ship, which carries a Portuguese flag, was taken into Iranian waters. The ship's operator,
MSC, confirmed the seizure by Iran and said it was working with
authorities to ensure its return and the safety of the crew.

The crew includes Indian, Filipino, Pakistani, Russian and Estonian,
according to White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson. Watson said the seizing of a "civilian vessel without
provocation is a blatant violation of international law" and an act of
piracy.

"We strongly condemn the Iranian seizure of the Portuguese flagged, British-owned MSC AIRES in international waters," Watson said on X.

Ship incident comes amid Houthi attacks in Red Sea
The Iran-backed Houthi rebel group in Yemen has been attacking ships in
the Red Sea for months, saying it aims for Israel-linked ships.

The ship seized on Saturday is owned by Gortal Shipping, an affiliate of
Zodiac Maritime. Zodiac is partly owned by an Israeli businessman.
Zodiac said in a statement that MSC leases the Aries and is responsible
for its activities.

"Iran will bear consequences for choosing to escalate this situation any further," said Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, a spokesperson for Israel's
military.

Hasan Alhasan, an analyst with the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told Reuters that if the seizure of the ship is in retaliation
for the April 1 attack, it may indicate Iran's desire to save face
without causing a wider escalation of the regional conflict. "Iran may
be trying to play on fears that it could obstruct shipping through the
strait, a passageway of greater significance to global oil and gas
supplies than the Red Sea," Alhasan said.

Body found of missing Israeli teen
Israeli officials said the body of a 14-year-old boy who went missing
near the Malachei Shalom outpost on Friday morning was found Saturday in
the West Bank.

Binyamin Achimair's death was a "terrorist attack," the Israeli military
said, while Netanyahu vowed the perpetrators would be found.


Israeli forces were searching "from the air and on the ground" Friday,
while groups of Israeli settlers stormed a nearby Palestinian village
and set fire to houses and cars overnight. One person was killed and
several injured in the conflict, Palestinian officials said.

Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal under
international law by most of the world, which Israel contests. The
settlements house Israeli citizens in the occupied land.

Contributing: Reuters

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