Israel strikes Iran, Israeli official says; U.S. says it was not involved

[iemanja]

Israel carried out a strike on Iran early Friday in retaliation for a barrage of missiles and drones launched last weekend, an Israeli official said. It was not clear what damage the apparently limited strike caused in central Iran, but the official — who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters — said it was intended to signal to Iran that Israel has the ability to strike inside the country. Secretary of State Antony Blinken declined to comment on whether Washington was warned about the strike, but he emphasized that “the United States has not been involved in any offensive operations.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/04/19/israel-iran-hamas-war-news-gaza-palestine/

This began with Israel's attack on an Iranian consular building in Syria last weekend. At that point it was obvious the situation was going to escalate---since that was the very reason for the attack. Now we have the beginnings of a long-anticipated war between Israel and Iran. The question is how much with US will continue to support Israel as it attacks Iran, or if it will intervene directly.

Iranian state media was muted in its response to the attack, saying Iran’s air defense systems intercepted “three small drones” in Isfahan province. There was no damage to Iran’s nuclear sites, including those in Isfahan, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Friday morning. Isfahan is the site of Iran’s largest nuclear research complex; the area is also home to a military base.

The latest news from the Middle East did not appear to change the likelihood that the House would pass more aid to Israel, despite some Democrats being bluntly critical of the mounting civilian casualties in Gaza. Most Republicans are expected to back it. Plus, it includes humanitarian aid for Gaza, which Democrats want.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/04/19/israel-iran-hamas-war-news-gaza-palestine/

I'm a bit surprised not to see more about the Israeli attack on Iran on this site. I do see lots about Trump's farts.

[ripcord]

1. Hopefully Iran is smart enough to know they have no justification for attacking the US

[iemanja]

3. I don't think they are stupid enough to attack the US

but they don't have to for the US to become embroiled in a war in Iran.

[ZoMe]

2. IRAN UPDATE, APRIL 18, 2024

Last edited Fri Apr 19, 2024, 05:55 PM - Edit history (1)

I ignore most coverage aside from that by expert organizations on geopolitics and foreign policy, such as the daily updates from The Institute for the Study of War. Excerpt from yesterday:

Iran is likely engaging in a coordinated information effort to deter an Israeli strike targeting its nuclear facilities and reassure its domestic population about Iran’s ability to protect such facilities. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Nuclear Security and Protection Corps Commander Brigadier General Ahmad Haghtalab announced on April 18 that Iran will change its publicly stated “nuclear doctrine and policies” in the event of an Israeli strike targeting its nuclear facilities.[1]

Haghtalab also said that the Iranian National Passive Defense Organization—one of the regime bodies responsible for defending its civilian, military, and nuclear infrastructure from attacks—has plans in place to face “any threat from” Israel.[2] The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) evacuated its inspectors from Iranian nuclear facilities on April 16. The IAEA cited concerns that Israel might strike Iranian nuclear facilities in response to Iran’s April 13 drone and missile strikes targeting Israel.[3]

[...] CTP-ISW previously assessed in December 2023 that Iran has pursued a series of nuclear advancements consistent with the desire for a nuclear arsenal.[8] The announcement also coincides with several senior Iranian officials, including IRGC Commander Major General Hossein Salami, expressing that the recent escalation cycle between Iran and Israel has significantly altered Iran’s external security calculus in an unspecified manner. https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-april-18-2024

[Cha]

5. Only 4 paragraphs are allowed on DU.

[ZoMe]

6. Thank you

I'll edit.

[Cha]

7. Thanks.

[gopiscrap]

8. welcome to DU

[LeftInTX]

4. It's being kept low key on both sides

Iran is stating they had an infiltration that they removed (They did not mention Israel)
Israel is not talking about it or publicly acknowledging it.

Sources about the attack were the US. (A few in Israel are mad at the US for leaking)

Israeli sources to Post: 'An eye for an eye'; not clear why Pentagon leaked info on attack

Israel will not accept responsibility for this attack for strategic reasons.

Israeli official security and governmental sources told The Jerusalem Post on Friday: "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Israel retaliated where they were attacked.”

That said, officially, Israel will not accept responsibility for this attack for strategic reasons. Sources explain that the Iranians claim it was an “explosion at a factory” because they wish to avoid escalation. Israeli sources told the Post that it's unclear why the Pentagon disclosed to the American media that Israel was involved; they could have remained silent, they say. They could have preserved Iran's dignity and avoided escalating the situation on their own.

At the Kirya base in Tel Aviv, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the entire security and diplomatic leadership have been present for 24 hours, coordinating with regional partners in Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.

That said, Israel does not yet accept responsibility.

https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/israeli-sources-to-post-an-eye-for-an-eye-not-clear-why-pentagon-leaked-info-on-attack-797885