Iran-Israel News LIVE: Netanyahu To Reconvene War Cabinet Today To Decide On Response To Tehran's Attacks

No pre-arranged agreement was made with any country prior to Iran's retaliatory attack against Israel, Iran's Foreign Ministry said on Monday. Iran launched explosive drones and fired missiles at Israel late on Saturday in its first direct attack on Israeli territory, a retaliatory strike which Tehran says is "self-defence" following Israel's April 1 bombing of its embassy compound in Syria's capital.

Regional officials, including Iran's foreign minister, said Tehran had given notice to neighbouring countries days before its attack. However, ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani cautioned that no pre-arranged deal was made with any country regarding how Tehran would approach its military response to Israel.

Turkish, Jordanian and Iraqi officials said on Sunday that Iran gave wide notice days before its drone and missile attack on Israel, but U.S. officials said Tehran did not warn Washington and that it was aiming to cause significant damage. Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles on Saturday in a retaliatory strike after a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said on Sunday that Iran gave neighbouring countries and Israel's ally the United States 72 hours' notice it would launch the strikes. Turkey's Foreign Ministry said it had spoken to both Washington and Tehran before the attack, adding it had conveyed messages as an intermediary to be sure reactions were proportionate.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will at 2 p.m. (1100 GMT) on Monday reconvene his war cabinet, the forum empowered by other ministers to decide on any action in response to Iran's weekend drone and missile attack, Reuters reported citing government officials. The war cabinet, comprising Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, former Defence Minister Benny Gantz and several observers, previously met on Sunday night.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday warned members not to further escalate tensions with reprisals against Iran, while the US warned the Security Council it would work to hold Tehran accountable at the UN. Guterrestold member states that the UN charter bars the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.

"The Middle East is on the brink. The people of the region are confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict. Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate," Guterres said, as quoted by Reuters.

President Joe Biden has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the United States would not participate in any Israeli counter-offensive against Iran, U.S. officials said on Sunday. "We believe Israel has freedom of action to protect itself and defend itself, in Syria or elsewhere... That's a long-standing policy and that remains, but no we would not envision ourselves participating in such a thing," one senior U.S. administration official said.

After thwarting a major Iranian attack on its soil, the Israeli government wants the world to recognise Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terror outfit. Israel seeks a severe diplomatic attack against Iran. The Israel side has raised several charges against IRGC, including that it was involved in all the proxy attacks by Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthis. The Israel foreign ministry's move to push countries to recognise IRGC as a terror outfit is aimed at such a diplomatic initiative. Reports have suggested that Israel was preparing for a retaliation and the timing and the manner is not yet clear.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency said on Monday it keeps recommending caution in the airspaces of Iran and Israel and around 100 nautical miles surrounding the country even though there was no overflight risk for civil aviation at any time. EASA, as the agency is known, said in an emailed advisory it is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East and its impact on civil aviation.

Indian airline companies are likely to announce the suspension of flight operations to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel. Iran and its proxies operating out of Yemen, Syria and Iraq launched more than 200 projectiles at Israel on Saturday night, including dozens of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones. According to the sources, as quoted by news agency ANI, "Flight operations to and from Israel are likely to be suspended, an official announcement will follow."

The Israeli government has approved defensive and offensive plans in the wake of Iran's mass drone and missile attack, an Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson said on Sunday, as the country continues to remain on high alert.

During a meeting on Sunday, leaders of Group of Seven (G7) nations discussed imposing sanctions against Iran over the largely unsuccessful aerial strike it launched towards Israel late Saturday, a senior US official cited by Reuters said. According to the official, the leaders also discussed designating Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organisation.

Syria defends Iran's largely unsuccessful aerial strike on Israel, with its foreign minister saying, "Iran's response to Israelis a legitimate right to self-defense."

Amidst the heightened tensions between Iran and Israel following Tehran's largely unsuccessful aerial strike on Israeli territory, Iran's Embassador to India, Iraj Elahi, says, "As you know the illegitimate and terrorist regime of Israel does not adhere to any international law, or moral and humanitarian principles. This terrorist regime has never stopped its enmity and malice against the Islamic Republic of Iran and recently attacked the consular section of Iran's embassy in Syria which led to the martyrdom of a number of Iranian officials. Iran has declared that seriously defends its security and national interests and has no tolerance in this regard."

Iran-Israel Tensions: On reports about US President Joe Biden telling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Washington won't back a counterassault on Iran by Israel following Tehran's attack late Saturday, Ambassador of Israel to India Naor Gilon says, "First of all we have to say that Biden and the US were so supportive of Israel and we very much appreciate it... At the end of the day, Israel is the one that will have to take decisions on its own security. The US has proven itself a strong ally; we will surely consult, but the final decision has to be Israelis, it's our lives at the end of the day."

Iran-Israel War LIVE: Israeli and US jets shot down the majority of Iranian drones over Syria's airspace before they could reach their targets in Israel, news agency Reuters reported citing Western intelligence sources. 

Iran-Israel War LIVE: In the wake of the Iran-Israel war, Russia on Sunday said that it was extremely concerned by Iranian strikes on Israel and called on all parties to exercise restraint but added that tensions would remain high until the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians was resolved.

"We express our extreme concern over another dangerous escalation in the region," Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement.

Iran-Israel War LIVE: Several major Middle Eastern airlines are grappling with disruptions in their flight schedules following Iran's drone and missile attack on Israel. Emirates Airlines has announced cancellations on certain routes, while Etihad Airways has suspended services to Tel Aviv and Amman for Sunday. 

Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which has been locked in a war with Israel in Gaza for more than six months, defended Iran's missile, and drone attack on Israel and said, "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.”

Iran-Israel War LIVE: Iran’s armed forces chief of staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri on Sunday said that Tehran’s attack had successfully targeted two Israeli military bases and that the operations have been concluded. He emphasised that Iran has no intention to continue the conflict. 

“Our response will be much larger than tonight's military action if Israel retaliates against Iran," Major General Mohammad Bagheri told news agency Reuters. 

Iran-Israel War LIVE: Amid rising tensions in the Middle East following Iran’s missile, drone attack on Israel, Indian airline companies are likely to announce the suspension of flight operations to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, as reported by news agency ANI. 

Israel-Iran War LIVE: In the wake of the Iran-Israel war, the Indian embassy in Israel on Sunday urged its citizens living there to stay calm and adhere to the safety protocols issued by the local authorities. The embassy asserted that it was closely monitoring the situation and in touch with both the authorities. 

Iran-Israel War LIVE: Jordan and Iraq reopened their airspace on Sunday after it was closed late Saturday as Iran launched drone and missile attacks on Israel, both countries said. Iran’s retribution came after Israel’s airstrike on Iran's Consulate building in Syria killed seven people.

Following Iran’s drone and missile attack on Israel, Tel Aviv has announced to close all schools and other educational systems, effective Sunday. Moreover, the country’s defence forces remain on alert.

Israel-Iran Conflict LIVE: Following Iran’s unprecedented drone, missile strikes on Israel, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said, "We are following events in the Middle East with the deepest concern. We are in permanent contact with our embassies in the region which will remain open to support Spaniards in the area."

United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also condemned Iran’s retaliatory strikes and said, “Iran has once again demonstrated that it is intent on sowing chaos in its own backyard."

US President Joe Biden vowed “ironclad" support for Israel after holding important meeting with the top security officials. "I just met with my national security team for an update on Iran's attacks against Israel. Our commitment to Israel's security against threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad," Biden said on X, formerly Twitter, posting a picture of the meeting in the White House Situation Room.

Iran’s retribution came following the April 1 attack on Iran's embassy building in Syria’s Damascus, which reportedly killed seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including two high-ranking generals. However, Israel neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the consulate attack in Syria.

Israel-Iran Tensions LIVE: In the wake of looming tensions in the Middle East, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has announced that the council will hold an emergency meeting on Sunday in response to Iran's unprecedented drone and missile strike on Israel.

Israel-Iran Tensions LIVE: Several countries around the world condemned Iran’s retaliatory drone and missile strikes against Israel. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has called for immediate de-escalation. While  US President Joe Biden promised "ironclad" support for Israel after holding an urgent meeting with top security officials. Britain, the European Union, and the United Nations also condemned Iran’s strikes against Israel. 

Iran launched a barrage of explosive drones and missiles at Israel late on Saturday, marking its first-ever direct attack on Israeli territory. 

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in the Gulf on Saturday seized a ship while passing the Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions in the region with Israel. The captured ship has 25 crew members onboard and among them, 17 are Indians as per reports by news agency PTI citing sources. Other crew members include four Filipinos, 2 Pakistanis, one Russian and one Estonian.

Austrian Airlines, the last remaining West European airline operating flights to Iran, has announced the suspension of all flights from Vienna to Tehran until April 18. The decision comes in light of escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, prompting the carrier to prioritise passenger safety and security.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has announced its decision to cease flying over the airspace of both Israel and Iran. The Dutch arm of Air France-KLM revealed that the airline will no longer include routes over these regions in its flight plans, citing concerns over escalating tensions and the potential risk of conflict. The move by KLM reflects a broader trend among airlines to exercise caution in navigating airspace affected by regional tensions and conflict threats. 

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have announced that fighter jets have conducted airstrikes targeting Hezbollah facilities across four locations in southern Lebanon. The strikes, which occurred recently, aimed at disrupting the operations of the militant group in the region. According to the IDF, the airstrikes targeted buildings utiliSed by Hezbollah in Houla and Bayt Lif, along with two command centers located in Odaisseh and Taybeh. In addition to the airstrikes, IDF troops reportedly engaged in gunfire directed at an area near Rmeish. 

IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari in a video message warned Iran of consequences amid the rising tensions in the Middle East. Following the seizure of an Israel-linked container ship by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy near the Strait of Hormuz, Hagari said that Iran "will bear the consequences for choosing to escalate the situation any further." 

“Israel is on high alert. We have increased our readiness to protect Israel from further Iranian aggression. We are also prepared to respond,” Hagari added. 

Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Saturday, intercepted and seized a container ship reportedly associated with the Israeli regime in the Gulf, according to state media reports. The vessel in question, named "MCS Aries," was apprehended by the Sepah (Guards) Navy Special Forces in a heliborne operation near the Strait of Hormuz. 

A video seen by The Associated Press shows commandos raiding a ship near the Strait of Hormuz by helicopter Saturday, an attack a Mideast defense official attributed to Iran amid wider tensions between Tehran and the West. Apprehensions about Iran attacking Israel has been doing rounds globally with the US warning Tehran to not go through with the attack on Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, Israel Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, on Friday, said, "The world is seeing the true face of Iran, the terrorist body that incites terror attack across the Middle East and funds Hamas, Hezbollah and other proxies in attacking Israel."

Following the Iranian revolution in 1979, Iran ended its alliance with Israel and started supporting the Palestinians symbolized by turning over the Israeli embassy in Tehran to the Palestine Liberation Organization. The war on Gaza, which has already killed over 33,000 Palestinians, has now expanded beyond the narrow enclave with Hezbollah exchanging fire with Israel across the border since October 7, the start of Israel-Hamas conflict. The group has also declared that it will stop its attacks on Israel after a ceasefire is reached in Gaza. 

Image points at the territories of Iran and Israel. (Credit: Google Maps)

Hezbollah which is an ally of Palestine millitant group Hamas, is one of the most prominent Iran-backed proxy groups. It was formed in the 1980s with support from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and has since evolved into a powerful political and military organization in Lebanon. Hezbollah is a major political player in Lebanon. It holds seats in the Lebanese parliament and is part of the governing coalition. Hezbollah's political wing is deeply intertwined with its social services, providing education, healthcare, and other social welfare programs to its supporters.

The Islamic Revolution of 1979 brought about a network of millitant groups across the Middle East by Iran to boost its regional hegemony. Since then Tehran as been known to support and sponsor various proxy groups in the Middle East and beyond. These proxy groups often serve Iran's interests and agendas in the region. Some of the notable Iran-backed proxy groups include Hezbollah, Houthis and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) among others. 

The Israeli intelligence agencies Mossad and Shin Bet have reported to the Israel war cabinet that Iran could conduct a minor drone attack on Israeli military establishments. Sources in Israel's Defence Ministry told IANS that the agencies have informed that Iran would not go for a major attack on Israel and that missiles may not be used. A senior official with Israel's Defence Ministry, while speaking to IANS, said: "Iran will not attack Israel in a major way and might go for a drone attack. However, Israel is well prepared for that."

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani held a phone conversation on bilateral relations and regional developments. In the talk, Amir-Abdollahian said on Friday that Iran has always played a positive part in regional development and has borne considerable costs to ensure sustainable stability and security in the region, according to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry. Tajani, for his part, asked Tehran to exercise restraint in reaction to the deadly Israeli attack on the consular section of Iran's embassy in the Syrian capital of Damascus.

The Iran-backed Lebanese aimed militia, Hezbollah, on Friday, fired a barrage of missiles towards northern Israel, The Times of Israel reported, adding that the projectiles were intercepted by the country's defence systems, while some impacted open areas or fell short in Lebanon. The IDF said some 40 rockets were fired from Lebanon towards northern Israel. There were no immediate reports of injuries in the attack claimed by Hezbollah.

Countries including India, France, Poland and Russia have warned their citizens against travel to the region, already on edge over the war in Gaza, now in its seventh month. Germany on Friday called on its citizens to leave Iran. In a travel advisory India adviced its citizens to not to make travel plans to Israel or Iran till further notice. As per a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, Indians presently residing in both countries have been urged to reach out to Indian Embassies located in Israel and Iran. 

US President Joe Biden on Friday said he expected Iran to attack Israel "sooner, rather than later" and warned Tehran not to proceed. Asked by reporters about his message to Iran, Biden said simply, "Don't," and he underscored Washington's commitment to defend Israel. "We are devoted to the defense of Israel. We will support Israel. We will help defend Israel and Iran will not succeed," he said. 

Israel braced on Friday for an attack by Iran or its proxies as warnings grew of retaliation for an attack on Iran's embassy compound last week in Damascus that killed a senior commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' overseas Quds Force and six other officers. Israel did not claim responsibility for the airstrike on April 1. But Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Israel "must be punished and shall be" for an operation he said was equivalent to an attack on Iranian soil.