Iran attacked Israel, escalating an already volatile conflict. Here’s what to know : NPR

Iran launched an enormous barrage of over 300 drones and missiles at Israel over the weekend — in what’s believed to be Iran’s first direct assault on its regional foe from Iranian soil.

Practically all the weapons had been intercepted by Israel and its allies, together with america. Nonetheless, a couple of of the Iranian ballistic missiles made it by way of the defenses, severely injuring a 7-year-old lady and barely damaging a army base in southern Israel, in keeping with Israeli officers.

Iranian officers mentioned the assault was in response to an airstrike from earlier this month that hit Iran’s consulate in Damascus, Syria. Seven Iranian army officers, together with two generals, had been killed.

Israel neither confirmed nor denied being behind the Syria strike, although Iran and the Pentagon mentioned Israel was accountable.

On Sunday, a senior Iranian army official mentioned Iran’s “operation” in opposition to Israel had ended and there could be no extra assaults coming, in keeping with Iranian state media.

However tensions proceed to run excessive within the Center East. Now, the main target is on how Israel and different nations will reply to Iran’s escalation. An Israeli army spokesperson mentioned on Sunday that leaders had “accredited operational plans for each offensive and defensive motion,” with out going into additional element.

This is what to know:

Practically all aerial assaults had been intercepted, Israel says, largely due to Israel’s superior air protection methods

Within the days main as much as the assault, the U.S. and Israel intently coordinated their air protection preparations. Nonetheless, a U.S. official described the Iranian barrage as being on the “excessive finish” of what the U.S. and Israel anticipated.

About 99% of the aerial assaults launched by Iran and its proxies had been intercepted exterior Israeli airspace, in keeping with the Israeli army. The U.S., France, Jordan and U.Okay. forces helped take down the Iranian weapons.

Israel’s most superior air protection system, the Arrow 3, offered the principle safety in opposition to Iran’s ballistic missiles. The Arrow 3 has been round for a number of years, however had by no means confronted such an intense onslaught.

Israeli army spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari mentioned Sunday that the Arrow 3 had “proved itself in opposition to a big variety of ballistic missiles.”

Nonetheless, a number of folks suffered from shrapnel wounds after the assault, together with a 7-year outdated Bedouin lady who underwent surgical procedure attributable to a head wound, the Occasions of Israel and Haaretz reported. Hagari confirmed the reviews.

Iran’s international minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, mentioned the nation notified the U.S. forward of the assault by way of Swiss intermediaries, informing that the strike is not going to goal American personnel or bases within the area. U.S. officers, nevertheless, mentioned there was no notification from Iran previous to the assault on the place weapons could be focusing on.

Israel struck a Hezbollah goal in Lebanon and urged the U.N. to sentence Tehran

On Sunday, Israel mentioned its fighter jets struck an alleged munitions manufacturing web site in southern Lebanon belonging to the Iran-backed militia Hezbollah.

Israeli’s army mentioned the strike was in response to the Iranian air assault over the weekend, including that Hezbollah was liable for about 40 rockets focused at Israel, the Occasions of Israel reported.

Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging fireplace throughout the border with Lebanon commonly for the reason that shock Oct. 7 assault by Hamas and Israel’s subsequent invasion of Gaza. Iran has lengthy equipped Hamas with funds and weapons however the White Home has circuitously linked Iran to the Oct. 7 assault.

At an emergency assembly of the United Nations Safety Council on Sunday, Iran’s ambassador to the U.N., Amir Saeid Iravani, mentioned Iran had no different selection however to “train its inherent proper to self-defense beneath worldwide legislation.” Iravani mentioned his county “doesn’t search escalation or conflict within the area,” and didn’t wish to start a battle with the U.S.

On the assembly, Israeli ambassador to the U.N. Gilad Erdan known as for the U.N. to “impose all potential sanctions on Iran earlier than it is too late.” He added: “This assault crossed each pink line and Israel reserves the authorized proper to retaliate.”

Israel’s conflict cupboard additionally gathered to debate how to reply to the Iranian assaults. The Israeli management has not but indicated what form its response would possibly take.

Biden advised Netanyahu the U.S. will not take part in offensive operations in opposition to Iran

President Biden is urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to proceed with warning in contemplating reply.

In keeping with a U.S. protection official, who spoke on situation of anonymity, Biden advised Netanyahu that the U.S. stays absolutely dedicated to defending Israel, however is not going to participate in offensive operations in opposition to Iran. For the reason that Israel-Hamas conflict erupted in Gaza final October, Biden has made clear he doesn’t need the battle to increase right into a broader regional conflict.

“I believe Israel has to suppose by way of rigorously what it does subsequent,” the official mentioned. “No person needs to run up the escalation ladder right here.”

In Congress, Home Republicans are making modifications to their legislative schedule for this week to contemplate a yet-to-be-revealed proposal that may additional help Israel.

Republicans additionally goal to incorporate language that “holds Iran and its terrorist proxies accountable,” Home Majority Chief Steve Scalise introduced in a press release launched Saturday night time.

World leaders name for restraint to keep away from a wider regional battle within the Center East

In a press release Sunday, G7 leaders mentioned that Iran had additional destabilized the area and that they stood in solidarity with Israel. The G7 is made up of america, Canada, Italy, Britain, France, Germany, Japan and the European Union.

“This have to be prevented. We are going to proceed to work to stabilize the scenario and keep away from additional escalation,” the leaders mentioned.

On Saturday, United Nations Secretary-Basic António Guterres mentioned he condemned Iran’s assault and was “deeply alarmed concerning the very actual hazard of a devastating region-wide escalation.”

Governments within the Center East, together with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, additionally issued statements expressing concern and calling for restraint in order to not exacerbate tensions within the area.

NPR’s Jane Arraf, Tom Bowman, Greg Myre, Deepa Shivaram, Barbara Sprunt and Hadeel Al-Shalchi contributed reporting.