The Islamic Republic of Iran warned the United States to “stay away” from its conflict with Israel after Tehran launched a blitz of drone and missile attack in retaliation for a strike on its Damascus consulate that killed some of its army generals.
“Iran’s military action was in response to the Zionist regime’s aggression against our diplomatic premises in Damascus,” Iran’s United Nations mission said on X.
“Should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe,” it warned. “It is a conflict between Iran and the rogue Israeli regime, from which the US MUST STAY AWAY!”
It said it hoped its action to punish the strike on its diplomatic mission would lead to no further escalation and “the matter can be deemed concluded.”
But any Iranian hopes that Israel would be left to defend itself alone were swiftly swept off, with a Pentagon official confirming that US forces were shooting down Israel-bound drones and Britain saying it stood ready to.
The April 1 strike, which was widely blamed on Israel, levelled the five-storey consular annexe of the Iranian embassy in Damascus and killed seven Revolutionary Guards, two of them generals.
The Guards warned Israel and the United States that any action they took against Iran would be reciprocated.
“We emphasise that any threat by the terrorist government of America and the Zionist regime from any country will result in a reciprocal and proportionate response,” the Guards said in a statement.
Iran said it had carried out its attack on Israel as an act of “self-defence” following the strike on its diplomatic mission.
“Iran emphasises its determination to decisively defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests against any illegal use of force and aggression,” the foreign ministry said.
The Israeli military said on Sunday April 14, that “99%” of the more than 300 projectiles fired at Israel by Iran last night were intercepted.
Only “a small number” of ballistic missiles reached the country’s territory, Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said.
Around 170 drones, more than 30 cruise missiles and more than 120 ballistic missiles were launched at Israel by Iran, he said, the vast majority intercepted by the Israeli Air Force and Israeli “partners.”
The ballistic missiles that did reach Israel fell on the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel, Hagari said, adding that they caused only light structural damage. The base was functioning and continuing its operations following the attack, with planes continuing to use the base, he added.
Iraq and Yemen also carried out launches against Israel, but none made it into the country, the IDF spokesman said. He added that “dozens” of rockets were launched from Lebanon toward the north of Israel, though Israel suffered no injuries or deaths and hit back by striking different targets in Lebanon.
A 10-year-old girl was severely injured by shrapnel, but there were no immediate reports of other Israeli injuries or deaths, Hagari said.
“Iran did something very serious, very severe this night, as it pushed the Middle East toward escalation. We will do whatever is necessary in order to defend the citizens of the state of Israel,” he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued his first public comments since Iran’s overnight attack, saying in a post on X, “We intercepted, we stopped. Together we will win.”
