Israel Iran News Highlights: US declines participation in Israeli retaliatory action against Iran

António Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN said that it is vital to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East. He wrote on X, "Civilians are already bearing the brunt & paying the highest price. We have to actively engage all parties concerned to prevent further escalation."

Global airlines faced disruptions to flights on Monday after Iran's missile and drone attacks on Israel further narrowed options for planes navigating between Europe and Asia.

At least a dozen airlines have had to cancel or reroute flights over the last two days, including Qantas, Germany's Lufthansa, United Airlines and Air India.

This was the biggest single disruption to air travel since the attack on the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001, according to Mark Zee, founder of OPSGROUP, which monitors airspace and airports. (Reuters)

With the Middle East tensions flaring up, Air India has temporarily suspended its Tel Aviv flights and airlines have charted alternative flight paths to avoid the Iranian airspace.

Air India, Vistara, IndiGo and some international airlines are avoiding Iranian airspace and have opted for alternative paths for their flights to the West.

Longer flight paths will result in increased operational costs for the carriers, and the situation could also push airfares higher. (Know more)

Amidst the ongoing Israel-Iran crisis, US President Joe Biden spoke to King Abdullah II of Jordan about the situation in the Middle East. Biden said that they agreed to remain in touch over the coming days and continue to monitor the situation. "We also discussed our efforts to increase critical humanitarian assistance to Gaza," wrote Biden on X.

Post the thwarted-Iranian attack, the IDF declared that a change will be made in the defense policy of the Home Front Command. Taking to its X handle, it announced, "As part of the changes, it was decided to resume educational activities all over the country. Educational activities will be allowed in the conflict line and Gaza perimeter guidance areas subject to restrictions."

Pledging his support to Israel, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned Isran's attack on Israel. In a psot on X, he wrote, "I spoke to fellow G7 leaders earlier as we united in condemning Iran’s unprecedented and destabilising attack on Israel. We stand with Israel and its people. Together we will continue to work to end the crisis in Gaza and avoid further regional escalation."

Amidst the ongoing Israel-Iran conclict, IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari took to X and said, "Even while under attack from Iran, we have not lost sight—not for one moment—of our critical mission in Gaza to rescue our hostages from the hands of Iran’s-proxy Hamas.” 

Jordan's King Abdullah told US President Joe Biden in a phone call that any further escalation from Israel would widen the conflict in the region, Jordanian state media reported.

President Joe Biden convened the Group of Seven advanced democracies to coordinate a rebuke to Iran for its unprecedented and largely unsuccessful aerial attack on Israel and to prevent a wider regional escalation.

After their video conference, the leaders issued a joint statement “unequivocally condemning in the strongest terms" the direct attack by Iran while expressing “our full solidarity and support to Israel” and reaffirming “our commitment towards its security”.

The G7 — made up of the US, Italy, Japan, Germany, France, Britain and Canada -- also said that Iran, “with its actions, has further stepped toward the destabilisation of the region and risks provoking an uncontrollable regional escalation”.

British foreign minister David Cameron said he had "formally condemned in the strongest terms" Iran's attack on Israel in a call with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan sought the intervention of the external affairs ministry seeking the safe return of Indian nationals including three from the state who are onboard a seized Israel-linked cargo ship in the gulf region.

Vijayan wrote a letter to Union External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar sharing the concerns of the Kerala government over the welfare and safety of the crew members of the ship MSC Aries, which was seized by Iran's Revolutionary Guards near the Strait of Hormuz.

As per reports, three among the crew, namely Sumesh, P V Dhanesh and Syamnath have been confirmed to be natives of Kerala. "Our collective objective at this point of time is the safe repatriation of all our nationals including those from Kerala, back to India without any delay. Given the geopolitical situation surrounding this incident, I urge immediate intervention and decisive action through diplomatic channels," Vijayan said in the letter.

After Iran launched a series of explosive drones and missile strikes on Israel late on Saturday, President of the United States Joe Biden has now told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the US would not participate in any Israeli counter-attack on Iran.

White House official John Kirby Sunday told ABC’s “This Week” program on Sunday that the United States will continue to help Israel defend itself, but does not want war with Iran. Asked if the US would support retaliation from Israel in Iran, Kirby clarified that their “commitment is ironclad” to defending Israel and to “helping Israel defend itself”. “And as the president has said many times, we don’t seek a wider war in the region. We don’t seek a war with Iran. And I think I will leave it at that,” Kirby added.

Iran's attack on Israel drew applause from many Palestinians in Gaza as rare payback for the Israeli offensive on their enclave, although some said they suspected Tehran had staged the assault more for show than to inflict real damage. "For the first time, we saw some rockets that didn't land in our areas. These rockets were going into the occupied Palestine,” Abu Abdallah, referring to land that became Israel in 1948 rather the occupied West Bank and Gaza, told Reuters.

Footage circulated from the enclave showed many residents, including inside displacement tents, whistling and others chanting Allah Akbar (God is the Greatest) in joy as the skies were lit up by Iranian rockets and Israeli interceptions.

The Iranian armed forces are among the largest in the Middle East, with at least 580,000 active-duty personnel and about 200,000 trained reserve personnel divided among the traditional army and the Revolutionary Guard, according to an annual assessment last year by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

The army and the Guard each have separate and active ground, air and naval forces, with the Guard responsible for Iran’s border security. The General Staff of the Armed Forces coordinates the branches and sets the overall strategy.

The Guard also operates the Quds Force, an elite unit in charge of arming, training and supporting the network of proxy militias throughout the Middle East known as the “axis of resistance.” These militias include Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, militia groups in Syria and Iraq, and Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza.

Read more on NYT

With Iran now launching an attack on Israel, this witness heightened volatility is likely to persist. There may possibly be a flight of capital towards safer assets. Geopolitical uncertainty, the possibility of the conflict escalating could also have implications for the oil market. Brent crude oil is currently hovering around $90 a barrel. For India, a major oil importer, a rise in oil prices, could have an impact on inflation, and the current account and fiscal deficits. This could have implications for policy.

Read more here

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that British military jets shot down drones launched by Iran in its attack on Israel. "I can confirm that our planes did shoot down a number of Iranian attack drones," Sunak told broadcasters. 

Amid rising tensions between the two rival powers — Israel and Iran — the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Friday asked all Indian citizens to not travel to the two countries until further notice. Given the situation, the citizens have been urged to take precautions about their safety and restrict movements to the minimum.

Further, the ministry also requested those currently residing in these countries to get in touch with Indian embassies and register themselves.

Here's how you can contact Indian embassies in Iran, Israel

An elderly couple in this northern Kerala district is facing anxious moments thinking about the safety of their son onboard a seized Israel linked cargo ship in the gulf region and praying for his return, PTI reported. Shyamnath, their son, was among the 17 Indians onboard an Israeli-linked cargo ship seized by the Iranian military near the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday.

Official sources on Friday said India has called on Iranian authorities through diplomatic channels, both in Tehran and Delhi, to ensure the welfare and early release of the 17 Indian crew members of the cargo ship 'MSC Aries'.

India woke up on Sunday (April 14) morning to visuals of Iran’s retaliatory attack on Israel with drones and missiles, which caused immediate concern in New Delhi.

South Block quickly issued a statement expressing India’s “serious concern” at the escalation of hostilities, and called for “immediate de-escalation”.

A potential response by Israel threatens to escalate the situation and expand the conflict. This is a big worry for New Delhi, which has already flagged the possible expansion of the conflict. Here's how

Austrian airlines said it has suspended all its flights to Tel Aviv, Erbil and Amman with immediate effect following an escalation of tensions between Iran and Israel. The suspension will last until April 15.

Austrian Airlines had already announced it was suspending flights to Tehran until April 18. "Long-haul routes through the Middle East will also be rerouted accordingly due to various airspace closures," the airline said in a statement.

Russia's foreign ministry has voiced "extreme concern over another dangerous escalation" in the Middle East and has urged for restraint following Iranian strikes on Israel, news agency Reuters reported.

During Tehran's strikes overnight, Israeli and U.S. jets intercepted most of the Iranian drones flying over Syria before they could reach targets in Israel, two Western intelligence sources shared with Reuters.

They said that the aerial interceptions shot down dozens of missiles and drones fired by Iran that flew above southern Syria in the Deraa province, the Syrian Golan Heights and several locations in eastern Syria along the border with Iraq.

The Palestinian militant group Hamas, which has been locked in a war with Israel in Gaza for more than six months, defended Iran's attack on Israel that began on Saturday.

"We in Hamas regard the military operation conducted by the Islamic Republic of Iran a natural right and a deserved response on the crime of targeting the Iranian consulate in Damascus and the assassination of several leaders of the Revolutionary Guards," said Hamas in a statement, according to Reuters news agency.

Hours after launching a series of drone missile attacks on Israel, the Islamic Republic of Iran on Sunday issued a statement to the United Nations (UN) invoking its right to self-defence in accordance to international law. The Iranian military strikes on Saturday night came as a response to a suspected Israel attack on the Iranian consulate building in Damascus on April 1 which led to multiple deaths and subsequent UN “silence” and “inaction” in the face of Israeli aggression, noted the statement issued by the country. (Read More)

Following the launch of a series of explosive drones and missile strikes targeting Israel late on Saturday, Iran asserted in its statement to the United Nations that the action was conducted in exercise of Iran’s inherent right to self-defense as outlined in Article 51 of the UN Charter.

“Regrettably the United Nations Security Council has failed in its duty to maintain international peace and security, allowing the Israeli regime to transgress red lines and violate fundamental principles of international law,” Iran’s statement read.

“Should the Israeli regime commit any military aggression again, Iran’s response will assuredly and decisively be stronger and more resolute,” the statement said.

Italy has called a video meeting of G7 leaders on Sunday to discuss the Iranian attack, on Israel, sources in the prime minister's office said.

The call will be held in the early afternoon, European time. Italy currently holds the rotating G7 presidency

Israeli war jets attacked an Iranian consulate building in Damascus, Syria, on April 1, killing at least 13 people – including General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, who was a senior leader of the Iranian Quds Force.

Who are the Quds Force?

The Quds Force is the paramilitary and intelligence wing of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRCG). The IRCG was set up by the leader of the Islamic Revolution and Iran’s first Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in 1979. (Click here to read the full explainer)

Jordan reopened its airspace on Sunday after temporarily closing it late on Saturday in response to Iran's drone and missile attacks against Israel, according to state TV which cited the Jordanian aviation authorities.

Israel reopened its airspace as of 7:30 a.m. (0430 GMT) on Sunday, the country's airports authority said after an overnight attack by hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones.

It said flight schedules from Tel Aviv were expected to be affected and travellers should check flight times.

Iran has launched its first-ever direct attack on Israel, in a move seen as retaliation for the strike, widely believed to be carried out by Israel, on the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, which took place almost two weeks ago, killing seven Iranian military officers.

Sources told CBS News that the retaliation could include attacks carried out both by Iranian forces, and proxy groups around the region. These proxy groups include Hamas, Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthis, and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq. Together, they call themselves the “axis of resistance”.

Here is a look at the groups and why they describe themselves as the axis of resistance.

Japan's foreign minister Yoko Kamikawa on Sunday condemned the attack by Iran on Israel. “The attack by Iran on Israel worsens the current Middle East situation, strongly condemn this escalation,” she said.

According to news agency Reuters, the Israeli ministry said that more than 300 projectiles were fired by Iran at Israel overnight and more than 99% of them were intercepted.

The Israeli Military also said that some of the projectiles were also fired from Iraq and Yemen in addition to Iran.

China is "deeply concerned" about escalating tensions in the Middle East after Iran launched drones and missiles in a retaliatory strike against Israel, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.

"China calls on relevant parties to remain calm and exercise restraint to avoid further escalation of tensions," the spokesperson said in a statement in the form of a response to a question from unidentified reporters about the Iranian attacks. The statement was posted on the ministry's website.

"China calls on the international community, especially influential countries, to play a constructive role in maintaining regional peace and stability," the spokesperson, who was also not identified, said in the statement.

After Iran launched a swarm of explosive drones and fired missiles directly at Israel on Saturday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today wrote on Twitter “We intercepted, we repelled, together we shall win.”

According to news agency Reuters, the Israeli Defence Minister said that they have repelled the first major wave of Iranian aerial attacks and that the confrontation is not yet over.

US President Joe Biden on Saturday condemned Iranian attacks on military facilities in Israel, pledged a coordinated G7 diplomatic response and said the United States had helped Israel take down "nearly all" of the attacking drones and missiles.

"Tomorrow, I will convene my fellow G7 leaders to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran's brazen attack," he said.

What is the G7? The Group of 7 (G7) is an informal group of seven countries — the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom, the heads of which hold an annual summit with European Union and other invitees. (Click here to read more)

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has called upon Iran to de-escalate the situation, adding that the US does not seek a war with Iran.

“We condemn attacks by Iran and its proxies. and call upon Iran to immediately halt further attacks,” he was quoted saying by news agency Reuters.

“We do not seek a conflict with Iran but we will not hesitate to act to protect our forces and support the defence of Israel,” he said.

According to a Reuters news report, the Pentagon today said that the US Forces in the Middle East intercepted dozens of missiles and drones launched from Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen. 

According to the news agency Reuters, US President Joe Biden informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the US would oppose any counterattack against Iran.

On Saturday night, Iran launched a swarm of explosive drones and fired missiles directly at Israel, marking its first-ever direct attack on Israeli territory. These strikes were in retaliation for an Israeli attack on an Iranian consulate building in Damascus, which resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people, including two high-ranking members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.

The Ministry of External Affairs released a statement today, saying that “India was concerned at the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran which threatens the peace and security in the region.”

“We call for immediate de-escalation, exercise of restraint, stepping back from violence and return to the path of diplomacy,” the statement read.

“We are closely monitoring the evolving situation. Our Embassies in the region are in close touch with Indian community. It is vital that security and stability are maintained in the region,” it read.

US President Joe Biden on Saturday condemned Iran's attacks against Israel and said he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reaffirm America's "ironclad commitment" to the security of Israel.

"Tomorrow, I will convene my fellow G7 leaders to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran's brazen attack," Biden said in a statement, referring to the Group of Seven Major economies.

President Joe Biden and his national security team monitored Iran’s aerial attack against Israel on Saturday as US forces joined efforts to down explosive-laden drones launched by Tehran.

With tensions at their highest since the Israel-Hamas war began six months ago, Biden pledged that American support for Israel's defence against attacks by Iran and its proxies is “ironclad.”

U.S. forces shot down some Iran-launched attack drones flying toward Israel, according to a US defence official and two other U.S. officials who spoke Saturday on the condition of anonymity to discuss the matter.

- Condemning the Iranian air attack on Israel, French foreign minister Stéphane Séjourné said in a statement Saturday that in “taking such an unprecedented action, Iran has crossed a new threshold with regard to its destabilizing activities and is risking a potential military escalation.”

- German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wrote early Sunday on X that Germany condemns “in the strongest possible terms the ongoing attack, which could plunge an entire region into chaos. “Iran and its proxies must stop it immediately,” Baerbock wrote. "We offer Israel our full solidarity at this time.”

- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his nation “unequivocally condemns Iran’s airborne attacks against Israel.”"We stand with Israel. After supporting Hamas’ brutal October 7 attack, the Iranian regime’s latest actions will further destabilize the region and make lasting peace more difficult,” Trudeau said in a statement."We support Israel’s right to defend itself and its people from these attacks.”

- United Kingdom Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said additional Royal Air Force jets and air refueling tankers have been sent to the Middle East to bolster Britain’s existing operation against the Islamic State Group in Iraq and Syria.

- He also said the jets “will intercept airborne attacks within range of our existing missions,” but did not confirm whether RAF jets had already shot down any Iranian drones.

According to a Reuters news report, US officials say that the American military forces have downed some Iran-launched attack drones flying toward Israel.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a US defence official said that the  effort to intercept the attack was continuing

Since Iran announced its attack Saturday against Israel, air raid sirens have gone off in Jerusalem, in northern and southern Israel, in the Negev region, in the Shomron area and in the Dead Sea region.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned Iran's attack, saying he was "deeply alarmed about the very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation."

“I strongly condemn the serious escalation represented by the large-scale attack launched on Israel by the Islamic Republic of Iran this evening,” Guterres wrote in a statement Saturday night.

“I am deeply alarmed about the very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation. I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East,” Guterres wrote. “I have repeatedly stressed that neither the region nor the world can afford another war.”

A diplomat stated that the United Nations Security Council intends to convene a meeting on Sunday, following Israel's request for the council to denounce Iran's attack on Israel and designate the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, says news agency Reuters.

The diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the tentative meeting time is set for 4 p.m. ET (2000 GMT) on Saturday.

According to news agency Reuters, the Chinese embassy in Iran advised Chinese nationals and companies in Iran to strengthen security precautions, state television CCTV reported on Sunday. 

On Saturday night, Iran launched a swarm of explosive drones and fired missiles directly at Israel, marking its first-ever direct attack on Israeli territory. These strikes were in retaliation for an Israeli attack on an Iranian consulate building in Damascus, which resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people, including two high-ranking members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday condemned Iranian airstrikes on Israel "in the strongest possible terms," a spokesperson said during a visit by Scholz to China, accorsing to news agency Reuters. 

"With this irresponsible and unjustifiable attack, Iran is risking a regional conflagration," government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit said after Scholz's arrival in the Chinese city of Chongqing.

"Germany stands closely by Israel's side," Hebestreit said. "We will now discuss further reactions closely with our G7 partners and allies."

The vast majority of the missiles launched from Iran were intercepted outside the borders of the State of Israel, a statement from the Israeli defence force’s spokesperson read.

"A short time ago, dozens of launches of surface-to-surface missiles were detected that made their way from Iran to the country's territory. The air defense fighters successfully intercepted using the "Arrow" system and, together with the strategic partner countries, most of the launches before they crossed the territory of the country," the statement read. 

“A few injuries were detected, among them at a military base in the south of the country with minor damage to the infrastructure,” it saod further. 

The United Nations Security Council aims to hold a meeting on Sunday, a diplomat said, after Israel requested the council condemn Iran's attack on Israel and designate the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization.

The tentative meeting time was 4 p.m. ET (2000 GMT), the diplomat said on Saturday, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, requested the council hold an emergency meeting in a letter on Saturday to the council's president.

"The Iranian attack is a serious threat to global peace and security and I expect the Council to use every means to take concrete action against Iran," Erdan wrote in a post on X.

The French government forcefully condemned the Iranian air attack on Israel.

French foreign minister Stéphane Séjourné said in a statement Saturday that in “taking such an unprecedented action, Iran has crossed a new threshold with regard to its destabilizing activities and is risking a potential military escalation.”

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wrote early Sunday on X that Germany condemns “in the strongest possible terms the ongoing attack, which could plunge an entire region into chaos.

“Iran and its proxies must stop it immediately,” Baerbock wrote. “We offer Israel our full solidarity at this time.”

Likewise, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his nation “unequivocally condemns Iran’s airborne attacks against Israel.”

“We stand with Israel. After supporting Hamas’ brutal October 7 attack, the Iranian regime’s latest actions will further destabilize the region and make lasting peace more difficult,” Trudeau said in a statement.

“We support Israel’s right to defend itself and its people from these attacks.”

UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said additional Royal Air Force jets and air refueling tankers have been sent to the Middle East to bolster Britain’s existing operation against the Islamic State Group in Iraq and Syria.

He said the jets “will intercept airborne attacks within range of our existing missions,” but did not confirm whether RAF jets had already shot down any Iranian drones.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson of Argentine President Javier Milei says the leader will cancel a trip to Denmark and return to Buenos Aires due to Iran’s attack on Israel.

A statement from presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni said Milei was flying home to form a “crisis committee in light of the latest events in Israel, to take charge of the situation and coordinate actions with the presidents of the Western world.” AP

The Israeli army has ordered residents of the Golan Heights in the north and Nevatim, Dimona and Eilat in the south to stay close to a protected space — such as a shelter, stairwell or inner room — until further notice.

Residents must be able to reach the protected spaces as soon as air raid sirens are activated, the statement said.

“We ask the public to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command regarding the situation and wait for additional instructions,” the statement said. AP

US and British warplanes have downed some Israel-bound Iranian drones over the Iraq-Syria border area, Israel's top-rated Channel 12 TV reported early on Sunday without citing sources. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened the Israeli war cabinet at military headquarters in Tel Aviv, his office said early on Sunday, after hostilities with arch-foe Iran surged. — Reuters