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Iran has reportedly launched an attack on Israel, launching dozens of drones (Original Post) rollin74 Apr 2024 OP
Eight hours for the drones to arrive at their targets? Marcus IM Apr 2024 #1
Hmm. The shortest distance between - werdna Apr 2024 #4
Has this been verified? Irish_Dem Apr 2024 #2
Not yet. Some people say type reports. n/t Marcus IM Apr 2024 #3
Not sure what you mean here. Irish_Dem Apr 2024 #5
At the time of my post, the first reports were 3rd hand. Now there are confirmations. Marcus IM Apr 2024 #18
Oh boy. Things are heating up. Irish_Dem Apr 2024 #25
MSNBC is confirming it, FWIW. Celerity Apr 2024 #17
Biden returns to the White House as imminent Iranian attack on Israel is possible SARose Apr 2024 #6
"Sneaking" is not the goal, I think Easterncedar Apr 2024 #7
I agree. I'd think the IDF Air could intercept them underpants Apr 2024 #13
Are these sources reliable? Enquiring_Mind Apr 2024 #8
IDF is now confirming. I just updated the OP rollin74 Apr 2024 #9
I don't trust the IDF either Enquiring_Mind Apr 2024 #10
It's been confirmed by US officials MarineCombatEngineer Apr 2024 #20
I do.. Fuck Hamas and Iran Cha Apr 2024 #42
IDF confirms launch of Iran attack SARose Apr 2024 #11
Can Israel shoot them down? Does the Iron Dome help? Takket Apr 2024 #12
Yes.. DemocratInPa Apr 2024 #21
Likely, I would think. I think Hezbollah uses drones. LeftInTX Apr 2024 #22
As Iran Threatens to Attack, These Are Israel's Air Defenses Celerity Apr 2024 #30
Could just be one prong of attack.... getagrip_already Apr 2024 #14
Most likely the drones are a throwaway attack sarisataka Apr 2024 #26
Yes. Easterncedar Apr 2024 #27
ABC News says you're right scipan Apr 2024 #37
State-linked media reports second wave of drones launched at Israel SARose Apr 2024 #15
I wonder if US warships in the region will fire to intercept NickB79 Apr 2024 #16
Hope not DemocratInPa Apr 2024 #19
there is very little doubt that US warships will assist with interceptions if they are in position to do so rollin74 Apr 2024 #23
Yes, the US will definitely intercept. Ace Rothstein Apr 2024 #31
After the world has seen what happened because of the Hamas attack, why would Iran do this? Deuxcents Apr 2024 #24
Because it does NOT matter! Behind the Aegis Apr 2024 #28
Iran would do this if they are confident that any response would not be enough to bother them. DFW Apr 2024 #33
This is a dangerous game of chicken DFW Apr 2024 #29
I don't think this will escalate to that extent. LeftInTX Apr 2024 #32
Everyone hopes not, but like I said, it's a big game of chicken DFW Apr 2024 #34
ABC News: targets are 3 military bases (see my post above) scipan Apr 2024 #38
White House Statement LetMyPeopleVote Apr 2024 #35
reports: Israeli jets now intercepting drones over Syria and Jordan rollin74 Apr 2024 #36
Nice job, Republicans! gulliver Apr 2024 #39
Arrival estimate upped 1h to 6pm Eastern time. scipan Apr 2024 #40
Iran: the matter is concluded. scipan Apr 2024 #41
It will be interesting to see what Israel's response is rollin74 Apr 2024 #43
Maybe if there's no/minor damage, Israel will scipan Apr 2024 #46
And just like that, WWIII is over LeftInTX Apr 2024 #44
The "rogue Israeli regime" liberalla Apr 2024 #49
In a moment of incredible uncertainty, I'm so happy that we have President Biden in the Oval Office LetMyPeopleVote Apr 2024 #45
Interceptions in Jerusalem area scipan Apr 2024 #47
Ballistic missiles hit in Negrev area scipan Apr 2024 #48
Israel has told US, allies it will retaliate scipan Apr 2024 #50

werdna

(1,250 posts)
4. Hmm. The shortest distance between -
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 04:06 PM
Apr 2024

- Iran and Israel is 1,071.54 mi (1,724.48 km). The y must travel through two country's air space. Not sure how they could "sneak".

 

Marcus IM

(3,001 posts)
18. At the time of my post, the first reports were 3rd hand. Now there are confirmations.
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 04:31 PM
Apr 2024


SARose

(1,831 posts)
6. Biden returns to the White House as imminent Iranian attack on Israel is possible
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 04:08 PM
Apr 2024

President Biden decided to cut short his weekend vacation and return to the White House on Saturday for consultations ahead of a possible Iranian attack against Israel, the White House said.

Why it matters: Biden's decision signals that the White House thinks the Iranian attack could be imminent and take place within hours, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.

Israel Defense Forces' home front command announced a state of alert starting 4pm ET Saturday and added that all schools and education institutions will be closed Sunday — another sign of an imminent attack.

The Israeli security cabinet was called for a meeting on Saturday night local time to discuss the preparation for an Iranian attack, Israeli officials say.

Snip

More

SARose

(1,831 posts)
11. IDF confirms launch of Iran attack
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 04:19 PM
Apr 2024

IDF confirms launch of Iran attack on Israel, says IAF tracking drones that’ll take several hours to reach Israel

By EMANUEL FABIAN

IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari in a press statement confirms that dozens of drones launched from Iran are heading toward Israel.

He says the Israeli Air Force is tracking the drones, while noting that they will take several hours to reach the country.

Hagari says there will be GPS disruptions as the military works to intercept the drones.

Channel 12 says the US was the first to identify the launch and immediately notified Israel. Emphasis mine.

More

 

DemocratInPa

(743 posts)
21. Yes..
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 04:36 PM
Apr 2024

Israel has a good defense system and should be able to fend off most of these drones..

That is why we need to let Israel handle this.. A US involvement could start a regional war.

This all seems planned out, Iran has to respond, and is the highest way they can it seems. Seems like this will be it and Iran will say they won, and nothing else will happen. well lets at least hope.

I doubt Israel will attack Iranian soil without US backing, which I am not sure they will give if this is the only thing Iran does.

Celerity

(54,837 posts)
30. As Iran Threatens to Attack, These Are Israel's Air Defenses
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 05:01 PM
Apr 2024
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-11/what-are-israel-s-air-defenses-as-iran-threatens-to-attack

https://archive.ph/GUtcA

Israel is braced for the possibility that Iran or its proxies will launch major missile or drone strikes on the country, based on intelligence assessments. Over the past decade-and-a-half, Israel has upgraded its air defenses considerably, adding new systems for interceptions of ballistic missiles fired from as far away as 2,400 kilometers. That range includes Yemen, Syria and Iraq, where militant groups allied with Iran are based, as well as Iran itself. While these new systems passed years of testing to become fully operational and have notched a few successful interceptions in the battlefield, they have not yet dealt with a large-scale attack.

1. What air defenses does Israel have?

The most active and well-known of Israel’s air defenses is Iron Dome, which has intercepted thousands of rockets fired by Palestinian militants in Gaza since 2011. However, Iron Dome is designed for missiles and drones with a short range, from 4 kilometers to 70 kilometers, and is just one of the various advanced missile defense systems in place in Israel. In 2017, Israel installed a medium-to-long-range interceptor known as David’s Sling, which was co-developed by Israel’s Rafael Defense Industries and the US-based Raytheon Technologies. David’s Sling is designed to detect and destroy ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones, at a reported range of up to 200 kilometers. That range covers Gaza as well as southern Lebanon, where the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah is believed to have 150,000 missiles, some of them precision-guided. Israel also possesses the advanced Arrow missile defense system, made up of Arrow 2 and Arrow 3. Developers have said the Arrow system can intercept missiles fired from up to 2,400 kilometers away and can do it above Earth’s atmosphere. The Israeli military also announced this month that a mobile, maritime version of Iron Dome — known as C-Dome — was operational and had successfully knocked down a hostile drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran. The military is also testing another system called Iron Beam, which uses lasers to intercept projectiles fired at close range at less expense than the Iron Dome. Iron Beam is not expected to be operational before mid-2025.

2. How effective are these systems?

Iron Dome has intercepted 90% of missiles heading toward populated areas, according to Israel’s military. However, the other air defense systems were only more recently introduced and data on their real-time effectiveness is not available. The army has acknowledged that its air defenses, including Iron Dome, can be overwhelmed if a large number of projectiles are fired simultaneously. Small drones fired by Hezbollah and the Houthis have also been able to slip through Israel’s defenses since October. That’s when war broke out between Israel and the Iran-backed militant Palestinian group Hamas, prompting other groups supported by Iran to pile on. Still, in recent years, the military said the few cases of real-time response in battle were successful. Arrow 3, which was jointly developed by Israel Aerospace Industries and Boeing Co., notched its first battlefield success in November 2023 when it shot down a missile fired by the Houthis toward southern Israel. David’s Sling knocked down Gaza rockets in fighting that erupted last May.

3. What’s led to fears of an Iranian attack on Israel?

The war between Israel and Hamas, which is considered a terrorist organization by the US and European Union, has aggravated the so-called shadow war between Israel and Iran. Iran blamed Israel for an April 1 airstrike on the country’s diplomatic buildings in the Syrian capital, Damascus, and vowed to retaliate. The strike killed seven Iranian military personnel, including a top commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iran’s premier security force.

snip

getagrip_already

(17,802 posts)
14. Could just be one prong of attack....
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 04:23 PM
Apr 2024

Missiles may get launched to coincide with drone arrival, to overwhelm defenses, or at least make things more confusing for air defenses.

Could be other attack modes as well.

Those are some pretty long distance drones.

sarisataka

(22,818 posts)
26. Most likely the drones are a throwaway attack
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 04:40 PM
Apr 2024

To keep the Iron Dome busy. I would expect ballistic missiles to be launched for a time on target strike

Easterncedar

(6,463 posts)
27. Yes.
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 04:43 PM
Apr 2024

Don’t watch their hands. Watch their eyes.

But I am marginally hopeful that Iran will back away from instigating a full-scale war.

scipan

(3,102 posts)
37. ABC News says you're right
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 05:57 PM
Apr 2024

In the coming hours the U.S. expects missile launches from Iran and southern Lebanon -- and maybe even the Houthis -- as well as drones, which take longer to reach target. The Iranians are trying to overwhelm the Israeli air defenses with drones and missiles coming in at different altitudes, speeds and directions -- but hitting targets at the same time, according to the official.

While the U.S. expects that most of these will be intercepted -- upwards of 85% -- the fear is that if any Israeli lives are lost, the Israeli response will be much bigger.

The target is believed to be three military bases, especially one where F-35s are kept. While these bases are relatively remote, there are towns nearby and these Iranian weapons are not completely accurate.


Live updates:
https://abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/israel-gaza-hamas-war/?id=108860743

SARose

(1,831 posts)
15. State-linked media reports second wave of drones launched at Israel
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 04:24 PM
Apr 2024

State-linked media in Iran is reporting that a second wave of drones has been launched by the Islamic Republic at Israel.


More

This s a live blog from the Times of Israel.

NickB79

(20,399 posts)
16. I wonder if US warships in the region will fire to intercept
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 04:26 PM
Apr 2024

And God help Iran if they directly target a US warship.

rollin74

(2,328 posts)
23. there is very little doubt that US warships will assist with interceptions if they are in position to do so
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 04:38 PM
Apr 2024

Ace Rothstein

(3,378 posts)
31. Yes, the US will definitely intercept.
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 05:01 PM
Apr 2024

It has been reported that there is a US tanker plane over Iraq currently. The operation has likely been in progress for some time.

Deuxcents

(27,655 posts)
24. After the world has seen what happened because of the Hamas attack, why would Iran do this?
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 04:40 PM
Apr 2024

Israel’s retaliation is certain and they are fierce

Behind the Aegis

(56,204 posts)
28. Because it does NOT matter!
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 04:45 PM
Apr 2024

They could bomb the shit out of Israel, and it wouldn't matter. The ONLY thing that would/will matter is Israel's response, which will, of course, be "wrong".

DFW

(60,423 posts)
33. Iran would do this if they are confident that any response would not be enough to bother them.
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 05:04 PM
Apr 2024

They know Israeö DOES have the capacity to respond in a manner that would bother them, they just figues we wouldn't "allow" it. The fact that Netanyahu doesn't need to ask for our permission is probably not a part of their propaganda, and so they actually believe it. Just like the misguided souls who think Biden can "order" israel around on how to conduct the Gaza operation.

DFW

(60,423 posts)
29. This is a dangerous game of chicken
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 04:58 PM
Apr 2024

Israel has the capacity to respond at practically any level they want to, and the Iranians know it. If they want to turn Iran's only major seaport, Bandar Abbas, into a glowing mass of radioactive waste, they can, and the Iranians know it. They won't care about their "martyrs," but they will care plenty about the money they'd lose if their only major seaport is gone, and remains uninhabitable for the next twenty years.

Iran has the capacity to mobilize an immense wave of Arab suicide soldiers to attack and possibly overrun a huge amount of Israeli territory, and the Israelis know that. Iran has supplied Hamas and Hezbollah with more weapons than they know what to do with, and the Israelis know that, too.

The Palestinian proxies do not care in the slightest what happens to their civilian populations, and the Israelis have nowhere else to go with theirs, and both side know that, too.

It's probably useless to hope that cooler heads will prevail if there no longer are any. We'll find out for sure if an Iranian drone should strike in a populated civilian area of Israel. Both sides know that, too. I bet Netanyahu is just praying that the Iranians are foolish enough to attack one of our ships in the Gulf. That is probably the only thing that would save his sorry ass. For that same reason, I'd also bet that Tehran has given its military commanders in the Gulf region orders not to cause so much as one American seaman's hat to be blown into the water.

LeftInTX

(34,847 posts)
32. I don't think this will escalate to that extent.
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 05:03 PM
Apr 2024

Israel will shoot drones back. Iran might shoot something worse. Israel will shoot something worse. Nukes won't get involved.

As long as Iran has "martyrs", all is good with them.

This won't get much worse than Hezbollah.

Both sides have a logistic problem. I suspect Hezbollah attacks will escalate.

DFW

(60,423 posts)
34. Everyone hopes not, but like I said, it's a big game of chicken
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 05:07 PM
Apr 2024

It only takes one side to decide "we have nothing else left to lose." That will be the tipping point.

If drones sent from Iran start killing Israeli civilians in their homes, I don't think the response will be "proportional."

scipan

(3,102 posts)
38. ABC News: targets are 3 military bases (see my post above)
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 06:06 PM
Apr 2024

but they are not necessarily accurate.

Let's hope they are this time, or that Israel shoots them all down.

scipan

(3,102 posts)
40. Arrival estimate upped 1h to 6pm Eastern time.
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 06:13 PM
Apr 2024

Right about now...

ETA: over 100 drones plus over 100 UAVs.

scipan

(3,102 posts)
41. Iran: the matter is concluded.
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 06:25 PM
Apr 2024

?t=4_EvpC2wcWBskxFTI8iWfQ&s=19

Conducted on the strength of Article 51 of the UN Charter pertaining to legitimate defense, Iran’s military action was in response to the Zionist regime’s aggression against our diplomatic premises in Damascus. The matter can be deemed concluded. However, should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe. It is a conflict between Iran and the rogue Israeli regime, from which the U.S. MUST STAY AWAY!

scipan

(3,102 posts)
46. Maybe if there's no/minor damage, Israel will
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 07:12 PM
Apr 2024

not feel like it needs to retaliate. I don't trust Netanyahu's instincts though.

liberalla

(11,217 posts)
49. The "rogue Israeli regime"
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 09:01 PM
Apr 2024

With netanyahu at the head, I rather agree with this description.

LetMyPeopleVote

(181,879 posts)
45. In a moment of incredible uncertainty, I'm so happy that we have President Biden in the Oval Office
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 07:05 PM
Apr 2024

scipan

(3,102 posts)
47. Interceptions in Jerusalem area
Sat Apr 13, 2024, 07:14 PM
Apr 2024

?t=t6lRQnyj0oR28xrcHMiXDQ&s=19

I don't know if there are military bases there.

ETA: smoke near the Knesset.

?t=0RCbntftRN1FoOiJI8H7mw&s=19
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