Update
100 missiles on the way
What stands between Israel and the drones and missiles
April 13, 2024, 11:30 p.m
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There are almost 1,000 kilometers as the crow flies between Iran and Israel. The drones and missiles have to fly over Iraq and Jordan or Syria. One country has already announced that it will intercept drones in its airspace.
Shortly before midnight in Iran, the regime launches its announced attack on Israel. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards claim responsibility for the attack. Specific locations in Israel are being targeted with drones and missiles, according to a statement distributed through state media.
According to Israeli broadcaster Channel 12, Iran fired around 100 drones and cruise missiles. Some of them were intercepted via Syria and Jordan.
Like Iraq, Jordan closed its airspace. Shortly before, two insiders said that the Jordanian air force was ready to shoot down Iranian drones or aircraft that violated the airspace. The military is on high alert. Iranian drones and missiles will likely have to fly over Iraq and then either Syria or Jordan to enter Israeli airspace.
As the Reuters news agency learned from security circles, a number of drones were spotted over the Iraqi province of Sulaymaniyah. There are almost 1,000 kilometers as the crow flies between Iran and Israel.
Drones take “several hours”
According to Israeli broadcaster Channel 12, the wave of Iranian drones is expected to reach Israel at 2 a.m. (local time; 1 a.m. CEST). Retired general Amos Jadlin tells the broadcaster that each drone is loaded with 20 kilograms of explosives. The Israeli air defense is ready to intercept them.
“Iran recently fired drones from its territory towards Israel,” Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said. Israel is working closely with the US and its partners in the region to “address and intercept” the drones, Hagari added.
Missiles and threats interact
The army spokesman said the drones would take “several hours” to reach Israeli airspace. The US government made a similar statement. The drone attack on Israel will “likely last several hours,” said US National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson. The United States stands “on the side of the Israeli people” and will support Israel in its defense “against these threats from Iran.”
The military is on high alert and monitoring the situation, according to a statement sent by the army via Telegram. The air defense system is on high alert, as are fighter jets and naval ships.
The New York Times, citing current and former US officials, reports that it is likely that Iran will try to synchronize the drone attack with faster-moving missiles that would be fired later. The slow-moving drones, a former official said, could be used to distract Israeli defenses.