Iran–Israel conflict LIVE Updates: Israeli officials on Sunday acknowledged that an international military coalition played a crucial role in preventing a large-scale Iranian assault, involving numerous drones and missiles. They hailed the coordinated effort as the beginning of a potential “strategic alliance” among regional powers opposed to Tehran’s actions. However, despite this development, Israel’s War Cabinet convened without reaching a verdict on future actions, leaving the world anxiously awaiting any indications of potential escalation from what was once a clandestine conflict.
According to a statement from the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Monday, US forces, supported by U.S. European Command destroyers, successfully neutralized over 80 one-way attack drones and at least six ballistic missiles targeting Israel from Iran and Yemen over the weekend. CENTCOM reported that among the destroyed assets were a ballistic missile mounted on its launcher vehicle and seven unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) eliminated before launch within areas controlled by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.
The attack on Israel, launched by Iran, occurred late on Saturday as a retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Syria on April 1, resulting in the deaths of senior Revolutionary Guards commanders. The onslaught comprised more than 300 missiles and drones, primarily launched from within Iran. Despite the scale of the attack, it resulted in minimal damage, as the majority were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome defense system, with support from the United States, Britain, France, and Jordan.
Israel’s War on Gaza Live:
Iran's Foreign Minister Spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, stated on Monday that the Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries vessel was seized on April 13 due to violations of maritime laws. Kanaani emphasised that there was no doubt the vessel was associated with Israel.
"Iran strives to create a safe shipping environment in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf. The vessel was diverted into Iran's territorial waters as a result of it violating maritime laws and not answering calls made by Iranian authorities," Kanaani said.
France will do all it can to avoid further escalation in the conflict between Israel and Iran in the Middle East, President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday, urging Israel to show restraint in any response.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may reconvene his war cabinet today, the forum empowered by other ministers to decide on any action in response to Iran's weekend drone and missile attack, a government source said, Reuters reported.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron has advised Israel against retaliating following Iran's recent drone and missile attack, urging a thoughtful and measured response.
He emphasised the importance of considering both rational analysis and emotional impulses, given the limited impact of Tehran's strike.
Britain would consider more sanctions against Iran, Foreign Minister David Cameron said on Monday, following its attack on Israel.
"Yes, absolutely. We already have 400 sanctions on Iran. We put in place a whole new sanctions regime at the end of last year, which is proving very effective," Cameron told the BBC when asked whether the government would consider more sanctions on Iran.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) recommended caution in the airspaces of Iran and Israel and around 100 nautical miles surrounding Israel 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.
In light of the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, India issued an advisory on Friday (April 12) urging all Indian residents in either country to contact the Indian Embassies and register themselves.
Additionally, due to the current crisis, all Indian nationals have been advised against traveling to Iran or Israel until further notice.
France will ramp up security around Jewish schools and synagogues, in response to the current Middle East crisis between Israel and Iran, said Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin on social media platform X.
Several international airlines on Monday encountered flight disruptions due to Iran's missile and drone attacks on Israel, which have limited flight paths between Europe and Asia. Over the past two days, major airlines, such as Qantas, Lufthansa, United Airlines, and Air India, have been forced to cancel or divert flights.
This was the biggest single disruption to air travel since the attack on the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001, as per the Mark Zee, founder of OPSGROUP, which monitors airspace and airports.
Israel on Sunday praised the success of its defenses in the face of an attack by Iran involving hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles.
At the same time, tensions ran high over a possible Israeli counter-strike. An Israeli military spokesman said that more than 300 strikes were fired, but 99% of them were intercepted.
US President Joe Biden will host Iraq's leader for discussions later this week, amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East. These talks occur against the backdrop of heightened conflict in Gaza and Iran's recent retaliatory strike on Israel, following an Israeli military action against an Iranian facility in Syria over the weekend, AP reported.
At a time when Indian markets are at all-time highs, bulls could find themselves caught in the crossfire due the escalation in tensions between Iran and Israel this week. The risk of a broader conflict in the Middle East after Iran’s attack on Israel on Saturday may trigger volatile swings in equity market, as rising crude oil prices could unnerve investors. Read More Here
Against escalating tensions in the Middle East, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in discussions with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, on Sunday. The conversation centered around what US Department of State spokesperson Mathew Miller described as a 'blatant' and 'unprecedented' assault by Iran and its proxies on Israel.
He also spoke to Egyptian, Jordanian, and Saudi counterparts following the attacks on Israel
US President Joe Biden warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. will not take part in a counter-offensive against Iran, an option Netanyahu's war cabinet favored after a mass drone and missile attack on Israeli territory, according to officials.
"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," United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told on Sunday
The Indian rupee is expected to dip to a new low, on concerns that rising Iran-Israel tensions could push oil prices higher and sour risk appetite.
Non-deliverable forwards indicate the rupee will open at around 83.44-83.48 to the U.S. dollar compared with 83.4150 in the previous session. The rupee's lifetime low is 83.4550, hit on April 4.
India on Sunday mentioned that the country is seriously 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," an official MEA statement mentioned
Asian markets on Monday witnessed a dip in oil prices as traders reduced risk premiums in the wake of Iran's assault on Israel over the weekend, characterised by the Israeli government as causing minimal damage.
Meanwhile, Brent futures for June delivery dropped by 24 cents to $90.21 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures for May delivery decreased by 38 cents to $85.28 per barrel by 1256 GMT, Reuters reported.
On Sunday, Turkish, Jordanian, and Iraqi officials mentioned that Iran provided ample advance notice days before its drone and missile assault on Israel.
However, U.S. officials contested this claim, asserting that Tehran did not forewarn Washington and intended to inflict substantial damage. The attack, launched in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria, saw Iran deploy hundreds of drones and missiles on Saturday.
According to the Pentagon, the US thwarted over 80 UAVs and at least six ballistic missiles launched by Iran toward Israel, reported PTI. The US Central Command added that this included the destruction of a ballistic missile on its launcher vehicle along with seven UAVs that were destroyed on the ground within Houthi-controlled regions of Yemen before their launch. Tehran retaliated against the April 1 strike on its consulate in Syria by launching over 300 drones and missiles at Israel, as stated by Iranian officials.
On Sunday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in phone conversations with the foreign ministers of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt, while Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin communicated with his counterparts in Saudi Arabia and Israel. This flurry of diplomatic activity followed escalating tensions in the Middle East following Iran's strikes on Israel. The urgent diplomatic efforts unfolded shortly after US President Joe Biden held a conference call with G-7 leaders and separately spoke with King Abdullah of Jordan and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel.
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