Israeli Missiles Strike Iran After Retaliatory Attacks

Israeli missiles struck a location in Iran following recent drone and missile attacks launched by Iran, purportedly in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on Iran's embassy in Syria, as reported by ABC News citing a US official on Thursday.

Commercial flights began rerouting their paths over western Iran early Friday without explanation, according to the Associated Press. This development coincided with reports from an Iranian semiofficial news agency mentioning "explosions" heard in the city of Isfahan. State television also acknowledged the occurrence of "loud noises."

The majority of the drones and missiles were intercepted before reaching Israeli territory.

Iran called on the United Nations Security Council to intervene and compel Israel to cease its "military actions targeting Iranian interests," reported news agency Reuters. The UN secretary-general warned of significant danger in the Middle East.

Israel had previously announced its intent to respond to Iran's missile and drone assault on April 13.

Iran's strike on April 13 was in retaliation to a suspected Israeli airstrike two weeks earlier on an Iranian consular building in Damascus, Syria, which resulted in the deaths of two Iranian generals.

In a conversation with US House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed Israel's commitment to "do whatever is required" to protect itself.

This attack by Iran marked the first instance of the country launching a direct military assault on Israel, despite decades of hostility dating back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

During the attack, Iran launched hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles at Israel. However, the Israeli military claimed that it intercepted 99 per cent of these drones and missiles, utilizing its air defenses and warplanes in coordination with a coalition led by the United States.

While US leaders expressed a desire to avoid escalation, they also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Israel's security. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged to increase diplomatic efforts against Iran on Monday.

Confrontations between Israel and Iran-aligned groups in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iraq have occurred since the start of the Gaza conflict in October.