Jordan intercepts Iranian drones targeting Israel

Middle East Eye

2 days ago

The Jordanian military announced that it intercepted missiles and drones that entered its airspace, as sirens sounded in the kingdom following a major Israeli attack on Iran early on Friday.
In a statement issued by the Jordanian Armed Forces, the military indicated that the interception came in response to fears that the drones launched by Iran in response to the Israeli attack could land in its territory.
According to officials in Amman, Jordanian air defences were activated as a result of "military assessments that missiles and drones were likely to fall on Jordanian territory, including in populated areas, causing casualties."
The statement further stressed that the armed forces are operating to "protect the nation's borders by land, sea, and air, and will not allow any violation of Jordanian airspace under any circumstances," urging citizens to refrain from spreading rumours that could "incite panic and chaos".
Video footage shows air raid sirens going off in Jordan as Iranian drones entered the kingdom's airspace.
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In the early hours of Friday morning, Israel launched a major attack on Iran, claiming it had taken the action because the Islamic Republic had begun to build nuclear warheads.
Iranian media reported that explosions were reported in Natanz, the capital Tehran and elsewhere; and that the head of the Revolutionary Guard, Hossein Salami, had been killed, as well as two scientists, Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi.
Abbasi was the head of the Atomic Energy Organisation from 2011 to 2013, who survived an assassination attempt in 2010, whilst Tehranchi was a theoretical physicist. Both men appeared to have been targeted in their homes.
Iranian state television also reported that children had been killed in at least one of the air strikes, on a residential area of Tehran.
Nour News, reported several "loud explosions" in and around Tehran, adding that the country's air defence system was on full alert, and all flights at Imam Khomeini international airport had been suspended.
In response, Iran fired more than 100 drones towards Israel at 06:00 BST on Friday.
Israeli army spokesperson Effie Defrin said in a statement that "all [aerial] defence arrays have been operating to intercept the threats.
"This is a different event to what we've experienced thus far, and we're expecting difficult hours," he added.
Hamas condemns Israeli attack
Hamas has strongly condemned the latest Israeli aggression on "sisterly" Iran after dozens of sites and senior officials were targeted in the Islamic Republic, a move that has spiked tensions in the region.
A statement released by the movement describes the attacks as a "dangerous escalation", warning that it threatens to "destabilise the region".
Iran fires more than 100 drones at Israel in retaliation for attacks on nuclear sites Read More »
"This brutal aggression is a flagrant violation of international norms and conventions and reaffirms once again that the Zionist project poses an existential threat to the entire region, not just Palestine.
"It targets all those who refuse to submit and insist on supporting the causes of the nation, foremost amongst them the Palestinian cause."
Hamas expressed its full solidarity with Iran, offering its condolences for the killing of several commanders and scientists, including Major General Salami, and Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri.
"Iran is paying today the price for its steadfast positions in support of Palestine and its resistance, and for its adherence to its independent national decision," the statement said, urging for a "unified stance from the nation and its vital forces in the face of this dangerous aggression.
"The Zionist entity is the nation's central enemy, and the battle against it is a battle of destiny that requires unity of ranks and concerted efforts to protect our peoples from its crimes and expansionist plans."