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A visit to Israel — the “land of milk and honey” — is even more bountiful on a Holland America Line cruise. Calls in Ashdod and Haifa offer the chance to walk through Jerusalem’s Old City, paying homage at the Western Wall and Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum. Ashdod also provides access to UNESCO-designated Tel Aviv and the Dead Sea, while Haifa leads to Galilee and the Golan Heights. Take full advantage on an Israel overland adventure that combines Jerusalem with pilgrimages to Masada or Bethlehem.

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Cheap Israel Cruises - Cruises to Israel

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137 Night Cruise to Around the World

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41 Night Cruise to Around the World

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116 Night Cruise to Around the World

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60 Night Cruise to Around the World

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18 Night Cruise to Africa

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162 Night Cruise to Around the World

10 night cruise to the eastern mediterranean.

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109 Night Cruise to Around the World

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12 Night Cruise to the Eastern Mediterranean

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23 Night Cruise to Around the World

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13 Night Cruise to the Eastern Mediterranean

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65 Night Cruise to Around the World

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Tel-Aviv (Haifa), Israel

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Considered one of the Middle East’s most picturesque cities, Tel-Aviv (Haifa) offers incredible sights everywhere you turn. It is also close to holy sites – travel to Galilee, Nazareth or Jerusalem. The views from Bahai Gardens on Mount Carmel, the largest hanging gardens in the world, are incredible, and make for a superb picture spot. Peruse the boutiques on Massada Street or go to the artists' village of Ein Hod for hand-blown glass and crafts. Explore more of Tel-Aviv (Haifa) on a Middle Eastern cruise !

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Tel-Aviv (Haifa)

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Cruises to Israel and the Holy Land

Say the words holy land cruise and you might whet the appetite of more than one cruiser..

This fabled part of Israel, available on many Mediterranean cruises is a must see-destination for many. The region is the cradle of the three world’s main religions, and is a destination that warrants discovery. But cruises to Israel are not just for those on a Christian, Jewish or Islamic pilgrimage. For sure, people have flocked here from all over the world but there is far more to a Holy Land cruise than just the holy.

Silversea’s cruises to Israel are part of our various Mediterranean itineraries, making joining (and, regrettably, leaving) your ship very easy. Most departures are from Athens, and you’ll most likely take in a few Greek islands first. Once you reach the Holy Land, we guarantee even the most jaded history buff will become revitalised. However, today, the busy cities of Jerusalem and Nazareth are far more than just historical destinations; they are overflowing with contemporary life.

Arrive in Ashdod and enjoy the hour or so voyage to the city of Jerusalem. The city is known for its timeless beauty and as the one time centre of the world; it has a heavy influence on modern day civilisation. Sightseeing here is packed full of must sees- run your hands over the Western Wall, visit the Yad Vashem holocaust museum or travel north to Tel Aviv and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site city and the famous Jaffa Gate.

Nazareth is no less spectacular. The home of Jesus Christ himself, the city had a heady reputation to live up to. But far from being the bucolic town one might expect, Nazareth is a modern hub that belies its heritage. If the mega metropolis is too urban, head out to Golan Heights and explore the stunning scenery and historic sites where it is believed Jesus lived, preached, and performed his miracles.

Silversea’s shore excursion programme offers fascinating insights to this incredible part of the world. All the sights – and sites – are visited so the only thing you have to choose is how much or how little you want to do!

DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS

Haifa (Nazareth)

Ashdod (Jerusalem)

Why silversea.

Intimate Ships

Four ships in our fleet of ten cruise to Israel and the Holy Land, making the most of the miles of craggy coastline and hallowed sites. Our ships are among the smallest in the business, no other cruise line can simply compete! Even our largest ship, Silver Spirit, homes just 608 guests, making it your intimate home from home on the high seas. Think guaranteed comforts, haute cuisine, and made it Italy style that ensures travelling with Silversea is a once experienced never forgotten experience. The small size of our ships allows us to visit even the most off the beaten track ports, so wherever you want to go, you can get there with Silversea.

Luxury Oceanview Suites

Accommodation aboard any Silversea ship is a luxurious affair and our Israel luxury cruise ships are no exception! Spacious, sophisticated and internationally recognised as being the gold standard of cruising, our luxury ocean view suites really give you the best of your Holy Land cruise. Make the most of the coast with stunning views from the privacy of your private veranda, or enjoy the creature comforts of your spacious suite.

Personalised Service

Silversea cares! Dedicated butlers and stellar service are the hallmarks of any Silversea luxury voyage and we are proud to say that they are the foundation of all our Israel and Holy Land cruises. Every suite, regardless of category, receives attention from a personal butler to make your holiday a once in a lifetime experience. Excursions booked, reservations made, room service delivered – nothing is too big or too small! Additionally, our crew to guest ratio of nearly 1:1 is the highest in the business. So, let us take care of you, after all … you’re worth it!

All-Inclusive Cruises

All-inclusive means many things to many people, so let’s just clear up any confusion right now. When we say all-inclusive, that’s exactly what we mean. From the moment you embark, you’ll be secure in the knowledge that your needs have already been taken care of. These include economy flights to reach your ship, fine food and wine (including premium brands), shore excursions (from spring 2022), fees, evening entertainment, keep-fit classes, gratuities … you name it! Some suite categories even have business class flights and transfers as well, so when we say all-inclusive, we really mean it.

Gourmet Cuisine

Cuisine has always been a hallmark of Silversea and with Silver Moon’s superb destination driven .S.A.L.T. programme, tasteful travel take on a new meaning. Our all-inclusive cruises to Israel offer far more than just onboard luxury and superb shore excursions. Israeli food ranges from first class olives and olive oil to heavenly Medjool dates, figs, honey, saffron, mint and sage, so enjoy all these wonderful flavours aboard our newest flagship. Lovers of international fare are not forgotten either: expect yummy Italian specialities in our famous La Terrazza, traditional classics in Atlantide or for those travelling on Silver Spirit, Asian-fusion and Japanese specialities in Indochine and Sheisin.

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Ashdod Is Where Contemporary Israel Shines

Israel, the world’s only Jewish and democratic state, is home to sites sacred to Judaism as well as Christianity and Islam—and few countries so small pack in as much diverse geography and culture. Ashdod, for example, is Israel’s largest port and was actually settled as early as the 17th century BC by the Bronze Age Canaanites—with Philistines, Israelites, and Greek colonists just some of the many ancient peoples who followed. The seaside city is mentioned frequently in the Old Testament, but with plenty of modern appeals, Ashdod is much more than its past. Located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, it has a diverse population of some 250,000, well-kept beaches, a boardwalk with restaurants and cafes and a prestigious marina. Beyond the beaches, Ashdod offers various attractions such as the “Etgarim (Extreme Sports) Park,” wonderful public artworks on display and more. Ad Halom Park is located in the southeastern part of the city. Ashdod is also your Mediterranean gateway to the capital of Israel, Jerusalem, approximately a one hour’s drive to the east, and glittering Tel Aviv-Yafo, on the coast about 40 minutes’ drive north.

Ashdod Citadel and Beach

Modern Ashdod is a planned city, established in 1956, but that’s just the surface. For an evocation of its ancient past you have no further to look than the seaside where the ruins of the medieval Ashdod Citadel sits on the sand, facing the Mediterranean Sea on the southern section of the beachfront. The rectangular fort, which retains its original stone corner towers, gates, and other architectural features, was originally built by an Umayyad caliph and later used by Crusaders. The wide beachfront itself is nearly five miles long, and any time of day you’re likely to find Israelis going for a swim or playing a game of matkot , or paddle ball, on the sand. Cafes and fish restaurants opposite the beach beckon, too. At the northern end, opposite the modern marina, the Lachish River Park features a free zoo with furry friends including zebras, deer, ostriches and even rare Berber sheep. History buffs might note that in the southern part of town is where you’ll find the Ad Halom Bridge, built during the period of Ottoman Turkish rule and the northernmost point reached by the Egyptian army during Israel’s War of Independence. There is a war memorial and observatory located there.

Ashdod Yam Park

  One of Ashdod’s flagship attractions, this park is located just behind the main stretch of beach and covers an area of 200 acres including playgrounds, sports courts, a manmade lake for boating and the largest open-air theater in Israel. There’s also a stunning musical fountain with dancing water jets, colored strobe lighting and synchronized music that plays most evenings at regular intervals.

Ashdod Museum of Art

Situated in the heart of the city, this unusual pyramid-shaped museum was inaugurated in 2003 and has a stunning glass roof that enables you to enjoy views of the sea and the marina. It showcases Israeli and international art in a dozen galleries. From painting and sculpture to photography and video art, the many exhibitions offer fantastic displays of contemporary artists and some local and international classics. There is a pyramid-shaped area where cultural events are held and an underground vault that is used to protect important artifacts and masterpieces. A new Green Submarine wing offers hands-on ecology discovery displays. Ha-shemesh (The Sun) Square, one of Israel’s largest public squares, links municipal buildings, the curving modern Ashdod Performing Arts Center and the art museum. Ashdod is big on public art too, including Baruch Wind’s bronze sculpture of “Samson the hero” and the monumental Eye of the Sun sculpture created by the artist Motti Mizrachi. During the day its appearance is modulated by the sun, while by night it becomes an LED light show thanks to the colorful lights that illuminate the artwork.

Corinne Mamane Museum of Philistine Culture

Ashdod is the place where the Philistines brought the Ark of Covenant after having captured it from the Israelites (before they were forced to return it). If you don’t know much about the Philistine culture, Ashdod is the place to find all manner of insights thanks to the presence of its excellent Museum of Philistine Culture, the only one of its kind in the world. Here you can explore temporary exhibitions and permanent displays that showcase important archaeological finds. You can also go back in time and dress like a Philistine whilst enjoying a typical Philistine meal. Opened in 1990, the Museum of Philistine Culture is split across three levels and is definitely worth a visit. The Museum displays significant Philistine artifacts from each of the five city-states of the ancient Philistine pentapolis in the Levant, of which Ashdod was one.

Tel Aviv and Jerusalem

Slight further afield, Tel Aviv-Jaffa is the commercial heart and ​cultural center of Israel. The fact that Tel Aviv was founded in 1909 makes it very young in a part of the world where many cities began not just centuries, but millennia ago. In contrast to Tel Aviv’s teeming modernity, the old city of Jaffa (Yafo) traces its roots to biblical times and possibly even before. Now an integral part of the Tel Aviv municipality where the Jewish and Arab communities mix, Jaffa is where according to legend Jonah was famously swallowed by a whale just offshore. But walk north from the quaint little port and the ribbons of beach unfolding beyond reminding you that Biblical associations notwithstanding, Tel Aviv is above all else a modern, energetic metropolis of both beaches and high rises today. Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, is perhaps the most significant, and almost certainly the best-known holy city on Earth. In no other single place can you find such a concentration of sites sacred to not just one, but three major world religions: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. This compact ancient city, surrounded by a wall built more than 450 years ago, never fails to amaze visitors with the extraordinary religious history contained​​—and very much alive—within.

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Seabourn calls in Israel seasonally during cruises between the  Mediterranean  and  Asia . The ships call at two ports in Israel:  Ashdod , which is closer to Jerusalem, and  Haifa , which is nearer Tel Aviv. Since Israel is not a large country,  highlights throughout the Holy Land are accessible from either port and on overnight mid-cruise Journeys between them.

Tel Aviv is a lively seaside city whose  UNESCO World Heritage Site , the White City of Tel Aviv, consists of a neighborhood of distinctive Bauhaus structures around Rothschild Avenue built between the 1920s and the 1950s. The  oldest section, Jaffa , is the original entry port for Israel with narrow, crowded streets and retains a remnant of the character of bygone eras. The Jaffa Tales Visitors Center uses modern technology to recount a historic and mythic lore that includes Jonah’s embarkation to sail to Tarshish, St. Peter residing in the local house of Simon the Tanner and the princess Andromeda languishing in chains prior to her rescue by Perseus. Locals gather to chat and play board games along the pleasant parklike Tel Aviv Seaside Promenade.

Jerusalem contains so many places of religious and historic importance that it well deserves a two-day visit. Panoramic views of the Old City and the Temple Mount are available from the  Mount of Olives  or the Haas-Sherover Promenade. Various tours visit  Mt. Zion , the Room of the Last Supper and King David’s Tomb. The Old City Walls encompass Zion Gate, the Dung Gate and  the Western (Wailing) Wall .  The Jewish Quarter  holds the Roman Cardo and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre with its five Stations of the Cross. The new city highlights include the  Knesset, Israeli Supreme Court, the Shrine of the Book with the Dead Sea Scrolls , the moving Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and Children’s Memorial, as well as the Israel Museum with a scale model of the Second Temple. In the Valley of Kidron visitors can stroll the  Garden of Gesthemane and visit the Church of All Nations set amongst ancient olive trees .

Bethlehem beckons with the  Church of the Nativity  built above the Cave of the Nativity where Jesus is said to have been born. Over the Judean Mountains in Nazareth is the Church of the Annunciation and the Church of St. Joseph built over his carpentry workshop. In the region of the  Sea of Galilee is the Mount of the Beatitudes and St. Peter’s home village Capernaum .

Further afield, passing Qumran, the source of the Dead Sea Scrolls, stands the  clifftop fortress of Masada , accessible by cable car.

Non-religious attractions in Israel include  the ancient city of Acre  which has earned UNESCO World Heritage status for its Ottoman quarter and the beautiful Baha’i Gardens, as well as Crusader-era structures and the 18th-century Khan el-Umdan (Inn of the Pillars) caravanserai.

Caesarea is another archaeological wonder , with the excavated Herod’s Palace, a Roman theater, hippodrome, baths, a Crusaders’ fort, Byzantine Market and an aqueduct.  Mt. Carmel is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, near the ancient city of Tiberius, Zippori National Park and the Golan Heights .

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Ashdod (Jerusalem), Israel

Haifa (tel aviv), israel, recommended for you.

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Jerusalem (Haifa), Israel

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Visit the land of miracles - Galilee, the Jordan River, the Mount of the Beautitudes and Tabgha. Venture to Nazareth, home of the young Jesus. See the largest hanging gardens in the world at the Bahai Gardens of Haifa. Or visit the Nahalal Moshav, a commune established in 1921 by Jewish immigrants.

I went on a 7-day Eastern Mediterranean cruise for $1,500. I got to visit 4 countries, and I recommend it to travelers on a budget.

• I went on Norwegian Jade's Santorini and Israel seven-day cruise for $1,500. 
• I saw four countries and a ton of special places in just one week.
• It was my first cruise , and it felt like a great way to travel on a budget.
• This article is part of  "Moments to Memories," a series highlighting joyful, exciting, and unforgettable experiences. 

Recently, I went on a week-long Eastern Mediterranean cruise for $1,500 and visited four countries in seven days. 

The Mediterranean is one of my favorite regions to visit . I love how well-preserved the area's ancient history is, but getting from one country to another can be challenging. When I saw all the places Norwegian Jade's Santorini and Israel seven-day cruise visited, I knew I wanted to try it. 

This was my first cruise experience , and it was better than I expected.

Before the cruise even started, Norwegian had good customer service.

I booked the cruise with a friend around six months before we set sail. A month or so before the cruise began, we saw the prices had dropped . We contacted Norwegian, and they credited us the price difference to be used on our next trip. 

It was a reassuring way to start the trip. 

We boarded the ship in Athens, Greece.

Greece is gorgeous, and it was a great place to start the cruise. We boarded at the main port in Piraeus, Athens. It's located just outside the city, and the ship was ready and waiting for us well before boarding was scheduled to start. 

The boarding process took a little while, but it felt well-managed and clear. Norwegian employees were always around to direct us to the next check-in station before we were finally able to get on the ship . 

Then, we sailed to Turkey.

Our ship left Athens on Sunday night, and we were in Turkey early Monday morning. We docked in Kuşadası, the gateway city for travelers who want to visit the Ephesus archaeological remains.

We only had less than half a day in the port, so I booked a ship excursion that took me to the ruins. Before heading back to the port, our tour stopped by a house some Christians believe is where the Virgin Mary stayed when she was in Ephesus. It wasn't too crowded, which made the experience more enjoyable. 

That afternoon, we docked in Patmos.

Patmos was small but incredibly beautiful.

Some of the other cruise passengers and I walked to the cave where John of Patmos supposedly lived while on the island, and then we continued to the monastery on the top of the mountain. 

It was a long walk that took us a couple of hours round trip, but the views were worth it. 

Visiting two ports in one day was a lot.

By the time I got on the cruise, I'd already spent two weeks traveling around Western Europe. Because of this, visiting two ports on our first day left me feeling a little tired. 

Fortunately, our second day on the ship was a sea day , and I was able to relax a little. 

My sea day was low-key.

Since I haven't been on any other cruises, I can't fairly comment on how Norwegian Jade's entertainment stacks up to that on other ships. For me, though, the sea day was very peaceful. I was able to do some reading and enjoy the delicious food on board that came with the cost of my cabin.

Throughout the cruise, I liked sitting by the pool and watching the ship's evening show. For some, the ship might have felt a little boring. But to me, it was perfect. 

The next day, we made it to Israel.

First, we docked in Ashdod, a city located in the southern part of the country. From there, I took a cruise excursion to Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Like in Ephesus, it was rewarding to see cities and structures of historical and biblical renown. 

The trip included a Middle Eastern-style lunch, and our tour guide was personable and knowledgeable. 

We spent two days in Israel, but it wasn't enough time.

The next morning we docked in Haifa, which is north of Tel Aviv. From there, I took a half-day cruise excursion to the Sea of Galilee and Nazareth.

There was so much to see in the country, and two days was definitely not enough time. If I ever have the chance to go back to Israel, I would like to spend a week or two exploring. 

Ship excursions cost more than I expected, but they were cheaper than if I'd tried to put them together myself.

This seemed especially true in Israel. In my early 20s, I generally backpacked around countries or traveled on a tight budget. I was used to traveling by city bus or on foot, and I'm generally not a fan of big tour groups. 

However, arranging our own travel from port cities to local attractions wasn't always convenient — or necessarily cheaper — than going on one of the cruise's excursions . I'm not sure if this is true in all countries, but it was a factor in Israel. 

For example, the Sea of Galilee and Nazareth excursion was just over $100 per person, and I would've spent more money trying to coordinate transportation to and from these spots and the cruise ship on my own. 

After Israel, our next stop was Cyprus.

I didn't know much about Cyprus before we docked in Limassol, located on the southern coast of the island, for half a day.

A few of the other cruise passengers and I took the city bus into the center, did a little shopping, and then walked by the seafront.

Even though it didn't feel like there was a lot to do at this stop, the island was full of natural beauty. I especially enjoyed seeing the city's ruins. 

The next day, we sailed to Santorini.

I'm glad I was able to visit Oia's famed blue-domed buildings, but getting there was a hassle I wasn't expecting. 

First, we had to take a tender (a smaller boat that takes passengers to shore) from our cruise ship to Thera's main port in the center of the island. From there, we took a ferry to Oia's port in the north. Then, we had to take a bus to the top of the island so we could see the architecture firsthand. 

I wanted to love my experience in Santorini, but I didn't. If I ever go back to Greece , I'll skip Santorini and explore some of the country's less famous islands. 

Finally, we made it back to Athens.

That Sunday, we were back in Athens. The disembarkation process was smooth, and I spent that afternoon enjoying the Acropolis, a beautiful ancient citadel.

On the cruise, I visited places I probably never would have seen on my own.

Our cruise ship covered a lot of ground in a short period of time, which I appreciated. If I had tried to plan a trip that included each destination I saw, I'm confident it would have been way more expensive and time-intensive than the cruise. 

Beyond that, the cruise took me to ports I probably never would have visited on my own. Places like Patmos and Cyprus weren't even on my travel radar, but I'm grateful I had the chance to experience them. 

All in all, I recommend the cruise to travelers on a budget.

Although some of the shore excursions were more expensive than I planned for, this cruise still felt like a good choice financially. 

It was an easy way to visit four countries, and I recommend it to travelers who want to get more bang for their buck . After all, the price of my cruise was almost the same cost of coach plane tickets from back home in Florida to just one of these places. 

I was able to see a lot for a price that felt affordable to me, and I recommend it to other travelers who want to explore the world on a budget. 

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Iran attacks Israel with over 300 drones, missiles: What you need to know

Iran has launched a massive aerial attack on Israel, two weeks after a deadly strike on its consulate in Syria.

Iran unleashed a barrage of missiles and drones on Saturday night and early on Sunday, targeting Israel in retaliation for April 1’s suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus, which killed 13 people.

Here is what happened and what analysts say could happen next:

What happened in Israel and when?

• Iran’s massive aerial attack marks the first direct strike by Iran on Israeli territory from Iranian soil. Iran called the attack Operation True Promise.
• The attack began on Saturday about 20:00 GMT. It lasted about five hours, according to United States officials.
• During the attack, explosions were heard in cities across Israel, including Tel Aviv. The explosions were also heard in Jerusalem, and air raid sirens sounded in more than 720 locations as Israeli forces sought to shoot down the projectiles.
• Israel’s chief military spokesman, Daniel Hagari, said Iran’s attack involved more than 120 ballistic missiles, 170 drones and more than 30 cruise missiles, according to a report by The Associated Press news agency.
• The Israeli military also said the vast majority of the projectiles were intercepted outside the country’s borders with help from the US, the United Kingdom and France. Jordan also shot down some of the missiles aimed at Israel as they were flying through Jordanian airspace.
• Israel’s military added that a “small number of hits were identified”. In a base in southern Israel, “minor damage occurred to the infrastructure”, it said.
• A seven-year-old girl was also severely injured by missile fragments while other patients sustained minor injuries and some were treated for anxiety.
• US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Sunday that the US also intercepted “dozens” of missiles and drones launched at Israel from Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

Where exactly did the attacks take place?

• During the attack, Israel’s military ordered residents in the northern Israeli-occupied Golan Heights – near the Syrian and Lebanese borders – and in the southern cities of Nevatim, Dimona and Eilat to remain near bomb shelters.
• Nevatim is the site of an Israeli airbase while Dimona has a nuclear reactor on its outskirts. Eilat is Israel’s Red Sea port, which has suffered a sharp decline in operations because of repeated attacks by Yemen’s Houthis on ships using the waterway.

Why did Iran attack Israel?

• Iran carried out the attacks in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike that killed an Iranian military commander, Major General Mohammad Reza Zahedi , in Damascus on April 1. He was killed along with six other Iranian nationals, including another general. At least six Syrian citizens were also killed.
• “It seems that Iranian leaders are determined to take action but also [be] seen to take action,” David Des Roches, an associate professor at the National Defense University in Washington, DC, told Al Jazeera.
• “What that indicates to me is that there are considerations of pride and prestige that are divorced from strategy and tactical utility that may indicate a more dangerous era than we thought,” he added.
• Hezbollah, a Lebanese armed group backed by Iran, and the Israeli military have been trading attacks across the Lebanon-Israel border since October 8, the day after the Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel and Israel’s brutal retaliation on the besieged Gaza Strip.
• On Saturday, Iranian state media announced that the armed forces had seized an Israel-linked container ship near the Strait of Hormuz.

What is the Israeli government saying?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel “will win” in a tweet after the attacks. Earlier, he spoke to the nation, stating that the military was prepared for any scenario.  

• “Citizens of Israel, in recent years and especially in recent weeks, Israel has been preparing for a direct attack by Iran,” Netanyahu said.
• “Our defensive systems are deployed. We are ready for any scenario, both defensively and offensively. The State of Israel is strong. The [Israeli army] is strong. The public is strong.” He also thanked his allies, including the US and UK, for “standing alongside” Israel.
• Towards the end of Sunday, the Israeli war cabinet – comprising Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, Minister Benny Gantz and several observers – met to discuss a response to the attacks but were divided on how and when to respond, according to media reports.
• A senior official from US President Joe Biden’s administration said Israel was not seeking to escalate the situation.
• “I think Israel made clear to us they’re not looking for a significant escalation with Iran. That’s not what they’re looking for. They’re looking to protect themselves and defend themselves,” the official said.

What is the Iranian government saying?

• Iran warned Israel against any response. The chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, told state TV that if Israel retaliates, Iran’s response would be “much larger” than the overnight bombardment, according to a report by the Reuters news agency.

Iran also warned Washington that backing Israeli retaliation would lead to the targeting of US bases.

Earlier, Iran’s mission to the United Nations cited the UN Charter’s provision for self-defence under Article 51 and said the country considered “the matter … concluded”.

• “The matter can be deemed concluded. However, should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe,” it said on X. “It is a conflict between Iran and the rogue Israeli regime, from which the US MUST STAY AWAY!”
• President Ebrahim Raisi issued a statement hailing the “brave men” of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who “taught a lesson to the Zionist regime”.

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… — Permanent Mission of I.R.Iran to UN, NY (@Iran_UN) April 13, 2024

What could come next for Iran, Israel and the region?

• Gideon Levy, an Israeli journalist and author, spoke to Al Jazeera about what could come next and said that if Israel were to strike back, “we are facing a regional war.”  It is a scenario he does not think will happen, especially, he said, “after the very clear and impressive aid of the United States to Israel”.
• “The extent of the Biden administration’s support means Israel will have to follow the US government’s advice not to retaliate after last night’s attack,” Levy said.
• “Netanyahu cannot attack Iran without the backing of the US and be exposed to a worse attack than last night,” he added.
• Separately, analyst and journalist Daoub Kuttab wrote that the exchange between Israel and Iran “has left the rest of the Arab world terrified of what another regional war could do to an already devastated region”.
• “And if it is to take place, there will be not just regional, but global repercussions,” he added.
• “Any regional Iranian-Israeli conflict will pull in the Gulf countries but also the US, Russia and China, creating a potentially explosive global confrontation.”

What are the international reactions so far?

• The aerial assault has drawn condemnation from Israel’s allies and warnings that it risked further escalation in the Middle East.
• Biden made clear that the US will not participate in any offensive operations against Iran, according to a senior administration official. But he reiterated his support for Israel.
• “Israel demonstrated a remarkable capacity to defend against and defeat even unprecedented attacks – sending a clear message to its foes that they cannot effectively threaten the security of Israel,” the White House quoted Biden as saying.
• The UN Security Council held a meeting and called on Iran and Israel to show restraint. “Neither the region nor the world can afford more war,” Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the meeting . “Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate.”
• Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi warned of the risk of a spillover conflict in the Middle East, stating that any escalation in the region would lead to “dangerous paths”.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern over the “military escalation” and called for restraint from all parties.

• China also said it was deeply concerned about escalation, adding that it was a “spillover of the Gaza conflict” and a ceasefire should be implemented without delay.
• India also expressed concern and called for an “immediate de-escalation, exercise of restraint, stepping back from violence and return to the path of democracy”.
• After a meeting on Sunday, the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) said: “We … unequivocally condemn in the strongest terms Iran’s direct and unprecedented attack against Israel.”
• The G7 said these actions “risks provoking an uncontrollable regional escalation. … This must be avoided. We will continue to work to stabilise the situation and avoid further escalation.”

For more global reactions, follow our coverage here .

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A Look at Iran’s Military Capabilities

The direct military confrontation between Iran and Israel has brought renewed attention to Iran’s armed forces. What are they capable of?

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By Farnaz Fassihi

• Published April 12, 2024 Updated April 14, 2024

The start of a direct military confrontation between Iran and Israel has brought renewed attention to Iran’s armed forces. Early this month, Israel attacked a building in Iran’s diplomatic compound in the Syrian capital, Damascus, killing seven of Iran’s senior commanders and military personnel .

Iran vowed to retaliate, and did so about two weeks later, starting a broad aerial attack on Israel on Saturday involving hundreds of drones and missiles aimed at targets inside Israel and the territory it controls.

Here’s a look at Iran’s military and its capabilities.

Why is Iran’s military relevant right now?

Israeli officials had said they would respond to any attack by Iran with a counterattack, which could prompt further retaliation from Iran and possibly expand into a wider regional war. There is even a chance that a conflict of that sort could drag in the United States, although Washington has made clear it had nothing to do with the Damascus attack.

Analysts say that Iran’s adversaries, primarily the United States and Israel, have avoided direct military strikes on Iran for decades, not wishing to tangle with Tehran’s complex military apparatus. Instead, Israel and Iran have been engaged in a long shadow war via air, sea, land and cyberattacks, and Israel has covertly targeted military and nuclear facilities inside Iran and killed commanders and scientists.

“There is a reason Iran has not been struck,” said Afshon Ostovar, an associate professor of national security affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and an expert on Iran’s military. “It’s not that Iran’s adversaries fear Iran. It’s that they realize any war against Iran is a very serious war.”

What sort of military threat does Iran pose?

The Iranian armed forces are among the largest in the Middle East, with at least 580,000 active-duty personnel and about 200,000 trained reserve personnel divided among the traditional army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, according to an annual assessment last year by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

The army and the Guards each have separate and active ground, air and naval forces, with the Guards responsible for Iran’s border security. The General Staff of the Armed Forces coordinates the branches and sets the overall strategy.

The Guards also operate the Quds Force, an elite unit in charge of arming, training and supporting the network of proxy militias throughout the Middle East known as the “axis of resistance.” These militias include Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, militia groups in Syria and Iraq and Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza.

Power by Proxy: How Iran Shapes the Mideast

A guide to the armed groups that let Iran extend its influence throughout the region.

The commander in chief of Iran’s armed forces is the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the last word on all major decisions.

While the proxy militias are not counted as part of Iran’s armed forces, analysts say they are considered an allied regional force — battle ready, heavily armed and ideologically loyal — and could come to Iran’s aid if it was attacked.

“The level of support and types of systems Iran has provided for nonstate actors is really unprecedented in terms of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles,” said Fabian Hinz, an expert on Iran’s military at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Berlin. “They could be viewed as part of Iran’s military capability, especially Hezbollah, which has the closest strategic relationship with Iran.”

What kinds of weapons does Iran have?

For decades, Iran’s military strategy has been anchored in deterrence, emphasizing the development of precision and long-range missiles, drones and air defenses. It has built a large fleet of speedboats and some small submarines that are capable of disrupting shipping traffic and global energy supplies that pass through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has one of the largest arsenals of ballistic missiles and drones in the Middle East, Mr. Ostovar said. That includes cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles, as well as ballistic missiles with ranges up to 2,000 kilometers, or more than 1,200 miles. These have the capacity and range to hit any target in the Middle East, including Israel.

In recent years, Tehran has assembled a large inventory of drones with ranges of around 1,200 to 1,550 miles and capable of flying low to evade radar, according to experts and Iranian commanders who have given public interviews to the state news media. Iran has made no secret of the buildup, displaying its trove of drones and missiles during military parades, and has ambitions to build a large export business in drones. Iran’s drones are being used by Russia in Ukraine and have surfaced in the conflict in Sudan.

The country’s bases and storage facilities are widely dispersed, buried deep underground and fortified with air defenses, making them difficult to destroy with airstrikes, experts say.

Where does Iran get its weapons?

International sanctions have cut Iran off from high-tech weaponry and military equipment manufactured abroad, like tanks and fighter jets.

During Iran’s eight-year war with Iraq in the 1980s, few countries were willing to sell weapons to Iran. When Ayatollah Khamenei became Iran’s supreme leader in 1989, a year after the war ended, he commissioned the Guards to develop a domestic weapons industry and poured resources into the effort, which was widely reported in the Iranian news media. He wanted to assure that Iran would never again have to rely on foreign powers for its defense needs.

Today, Iran manufactures a large quantity of missiles and drones domestically and has prioritized that defense production, experts said. Its attempts to make armored vehicles and large naval vessels have met with mixed results. It also imports small submarines from North Korea while expanding and modernizing its domestically produced fleet .

How do other countries see Iran’s military, and what are its weaknesses?

Iran’s military is viewed as one of the strongest in the region in terms of equipment, cohesion, experience and quality of personnel, but it lags far behind the power and sophistication of the armed forces of the United States, Israel and some European countries, experts said.

Iran’s greatest weakness is its air force. Much of the country’s aircraft date from the era of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, who led Iran from 1941 to 1979, and many have been disabled for lack of spare parts. The country also bought a small fleet from Russia in the 1990s, experts said.

Iran’s tanks and armored vehicles are old, and the country has only a few large naval vessels, experts said. Two intelligence gathering vessels, t he Saviz and Behshad, deployed on the Red Sea, have aided the Houthis in identifying Israeli-owned ships for attacks, American officials have said.

Will Israel’s attack disrupt Iran’s military?

The assassinations of the senior military officials are expected to have a short-term impact on Iran’s regional operations, having eliminated commanders with years of experience and relationships with the heads of the allied militias.

Nevertheless, the chain of command for the armed forces inside Iran remains intact, experts say.

An earlier version of this article misstated the name of a group in the Gaza Strip. It is Palestinian Islamic Jihad, not Islamic Palestinian Jihad.

How we handle corrections

Farnaz Fassihi is the United Nations bureau chief for The Times, leading coverage of the organization, and also covers Iran and the shadow war between Iran and Israel. She is based in New York. More about Farnaz Fassihi

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© THE INTERCEPT

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U.S., Not Israel, Shot Down Most Iran Drones and Missiles

American forces did most of the heavy lifting responding to Iran’s retaliation for the attack on its embassy in Damascus.

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The United States shot down more drones and missiles than Israel did on Saturday night during Iran’s attack, The Intercept can report. 

More than half of Iran’s weapons were destroyed by U.S. aircraft and missiles before they ever reached Israel. In fact, by commanding a multinational air defense operation and scrambling American fighter jets, this was a U.S. military triumph. 

The extent of the U.S. military operation is unbeknownst to the American public, but the Pentagon coordinated a multination, regionwide defense extending from northern Iraq to the southern Persian Gulf on Saturday. During the operation, the U.S., U.K., France, and Jordan all shot down the majority of Iranian drones and missiles. In fact, where U.S. aircraft originated from has not been officially announced, an omission that has been repeated by the mainstream media. Additionally, the role of Saudi Arabia is unclear, both as a base for the United States and in terms of any actions by the Saudi military.

In calculating the size of Iran’s attack and the overwhelming role of the United States, U.S. military sources say that the preliminary estimate is that half of Iran’s weapons experienced technical failures of some sort.

“U.S. intelligence estimates that half of the weapons fired by Iran failed upon launch or in flight due to technical issues,” a U.S. Air Force senior officer told The Intercept. Of the remaining 160 or so, the U.S. shot down the majority, the officer said. The officer was granted anonymity to speak about sensitive operational matters.

Asked to comment on the United States shooting down half of Iran’s drones and missiles, the Israel Defense Forces and the White House National Security Council did not respond at the time of publication. The Pentagon referred The Intercept to U.S. Central Command, which pointed to a press release saying CENTCOM forces supported by U.S. European Command destroyers “successfully engaged and destroyed more than 80 one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles (OWA UAV) and at least six ballistic missiles intended to strike Israel from Iran and Yemen.”

Israel says that more than 330 drones, low-flying cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles were launched by Iran, including some 30 Paveh-type cruise missiles, 180 or so Shahed drones, and 120 Emad intermediate-range ballistic missiles, as well as other types of weapons. All of the drones and cruise missiles were launched from Iranian territory, Israel says. Some additional missiles were also launched from inside Yemen, according to IDF data.

Most media reports say that none of the cruise missiles or drones ever entered Israeli airspace. According to a statement by IDF spokesperson Adm. Daniel Hagari, some 25 cruise missiles “were intercepted by IAF [Israeli Air Force] fighter jets outside the country’s borders,” most likely over Jordanian territory.

Israel’s statement that it shot down the majority of Iranian “cruise missiles” is probably an exaggeration. According to U.S. military sources and preliminary reporting, U.S. and allied aircraft shot down the majority of drones and cruise missiles. U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that the Royal Air Force Typhoons intercepted “a number” of Iranian weapons over Iraqi and Syrian airspace.

The Jordanian government has also hinted that its aircraft downed some Iranian weapons. “We will intercept every drone or missile that violates Jordan’s airspace to avert any danger. Anything posing a threat to Jordan and the security of Jordanians, we will confront it with all our capabilities and resources,” Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said during an interview on the Al-Mamlaka news channel.

French fighters also shot down some drones and possibly cruise missiles.

U.S. aircraft, however, shot down “more than” 80 Iranian weapons, according to U.S. military sources. President Joe Biden spoke with members of two F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft squadrons to “commend them for their exceptional airmanship and skill in defending Israel from an unprecedented aerial attack by Iran.” Two F-15 squadrons — the 494th Fighter Squadron based at Royal Air Force Lakenheath in the United Kingdom, and the 335th Fighter Squadron from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina — are forward deployed to the Middle East, at least half of the planes at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.

Two U.S. warships stationed in the Mediterranean — the USS Carney (DDG 64) and the USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) — shot down at least six ballistic missiles, the Pentagon says. The War Zone is reporting that those ships may have fired Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) interceptors in combat for the first time. A U.S. Army Patriot surface-to-air missile battery in Erbil, Iraq, shot down at least one ballistic missile. Wreckage of an Iranian missile was also found outside Erbil, as well as in an open area outside the province of Najaf.

Iran’s attack marks the first time since 1991 that a nation state has attacked Israel directly. Contending with extremely long distances and utilizing scores of decoys and swarm tactics to attempt to overwhelm Middle East air defenses, Iran managed to hit two military targets on the ground in Israel, including Nevatim Air Base. According to the IDF, five missiles hit Nevatim Air Base and four hit another base. Despite the low number of munitions successfully landing, the dramatic spectacle of hundreds of rockets streaking across the night sky in Syria, Iraq, and Iran has left Tehran contented with its show of force. 

Iran “has achieved all its goals, and in our view the operation has ended, and we do not intend to continue,” Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, said over the weekend. Still, he cautioned, “If the Zionist regime or its supporters demonstrate reckless behavior, they will receive a decisive and much stronger response.”

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The U.S. coordinated the overall operation from the Combined Air Operations Center at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, where the overall commander was Lt. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, the air commander of CENTCOM. “We take whatever assets we have that are in theater … under our tactical control or in a direct support role across the joint force and the coalition, and we stitch them together so that we can synchronize the fires and effects when we get into that air defense fight,” Grynkewich told Air & Space Forces Magazine after the Iran attack. “We’re trying to stitch together partners in the region who share a perspective of a threat, share concern of the threats to stability in the region — which primarily emanate from Iran with a large number of ballistic missiles — and be in a position where we’re able to share information, share threat warning. And the ultimate goal is to get to a much deeper and fuller integration. We’ve made tremendous progress.”

In a call immediately following Iran’s attack, Biden reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that “Israel really came out far ahead in this exchange” and warned of the “risks of escalation” — as if that hadn’t already happened.

Correction: April 16, 2024 A previous version of this article incorrectly referred to Mohammad Bagheri as the president of Iran. He is the chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces.

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Israel says Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles, 99% of which were intercepted

Loud booms were heard in Jerusalem after Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel.

Sirens and explosions could be heard in Jerusalem on Sunday after Iran fired drones and missiles towards Israel.

The Israeli military said it would do everything to defend Israel, as Iran launched a first direct military attack against Israel on Saturday, sending drones and ballistic missiles toward Israel. Iran’s state-run media reported that dozens of drones had been fired.

Iran launched a first direct military attack against Israel on Saturday, sending drones and cruise and ballistic missiles toward Israel.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said that Iran has launched drones from its territory at Israel. Israel has been preparing for the possibility of a direct attack from Iran and is ready “for any scenario,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday.

A group of hardliners gathered outside the British embassy in Tehran early Sunday to celebrate missile and drone attacks on Israel. Protesters chanted “Death to Israel” and thanked the revolutionary guard for the attacks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel’s defenses are ready after Iran launched dozens of drones and ballistic missiles toward Israel on Saturday

Iran’s state TV confirmed early on Sunday that the country’s powerful Revolutionary Guard had launched drones and missiles at Israel. Iran launched drones toward Israel late Saturday, the Israeli military also announced, and Iran’s state-run media reported that dozens had been fired.

Iranian missiles or drones were intercepted in the sky above the Jordanian capital, Amman, on Sunday.

Objects flying over the sky were seen from the West Bank, while booms and air raid sirens have sounded in Jerusalem after Iran launched dozens of drones and ballistic missiles toward Israel in an unprecedented revenge mission that pushes the Middle East closer to a regionwide war.

A group of hardline supporters of the Iranian government gathered overnight in central Tehran to celebrate the country’s missile and drone attacks against Israel.

Missiles could be seen in the night sky over the West Bank early on Sunday as Iran launched a first direct military attack against Israel, sending drones and cruise and ballistic missiles toward Israel.

Israeli Iron Dome air defense system launches to intercept missiles fired from Iran, in central Israel, Sunday, April 14, 2024. Iran launched its first direct military attack against Israel on Saturday. The Israeli military says Iran fired more than 100 bomb-carrying drones toward Israel. Hours later, Iran announced it had also launched much more destructive ballistic missiles. (AP Photo/Tomer Neuberg)

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Interceptors missiles are launched into the sky early Sunday, April 14, 2024, in Jerusalem. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick)

Iranian demonstrators chant slogans during an anti-Israeli gathering in front of the British Embassy in Tehran, Iran, early Sunday, April 14, 2024. Iran launched its first direct military attack against Israel on Saturday. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

This is a locator map for Iran with its capital, Tehran. (AP Photo)

An Iranian cleric chants slogans while attending an anti-Israeli gathering at the Felestin (Palestine) Square in Tehran, Iran, early Sunday, April 14, 2024. Iran launched its first direct military attack against Israel Saturday. The Israeli military says Iran fired more than 100 bomb-carrying drones toward Israel. Hours later, Iran announced it had also launched much more destructive ballistic missiles. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iranian demonstrators wave a Palestinian flag during their anti-Israeli gathering at the Felestin (Palestine) Square in Tehran, Iran, early Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

An Iranian demonstrator chants slogans while attending an anti-Israeli gathering at the Felestin (Palestine) Square in Tehran, Iran, early Sunday, April 14, 2024. Iran launched its first direct military attack against Israel Saturday. The Israeli military says Iran fired more than 100 bomb-carrying drones toward Israel. Hours later, Iran announced it had also launched much more destructive ballistic missiles. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

A demonstrator waves Iranian and Palestinian flags during an anti-Israeli gathering at the Felestin (Palestine) Square in Tehran, Iran, early Sunday, April 14, 2024. Iran launched its first direct military attack against Israel Saturday. The Israeli military says Iran fired more than 100 bomb-carrying drones toward Israel. Hours later, Iran announced it had also launched much more destructive ballistic missiles. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

This image made from a video provided to The Associated Press by a Mideast defense official shows a helicopter raid targeting a vessel near the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, April 13, 2024. A video seen by The Associated Press shows commandos raiding a ship near the Strait of Hormuz by helicopter Saturday, an attack a Mideast defense official attributed to Iran amid wider tensions between Tehran and the West. The Mideast defense official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters. (AP Photo)

An Iranian demonstrator holds a poster of the late Revolutionary Guard Gen. Mohammad Hadi Haj Rahimi, who was killed in an airstrike widely attributed to Israel that destroyed Iran’s Consulate in Syria on April 1, during an anti-Israeli gathering at the Felestin (Palestine) Square in Tehran, Iran, early Sunday, April 14, 2024. Iran launched its first direct military attack against Israel Saturday. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iranian demonstrators flash the victory sign as they hold an Iranian flag and a model of a bullet during an anti-Israeli gathering at the Felestin (Palestine) Square in Tehran, Iran, early Sunday, April 14, 2024. Iran launched its first direct military attack against Israel on Saturday. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

An Iranian demonstrator flashes a victory sign as he holds a model of a bullet during an anti-Israeli gathering at the Felestin (Palestine) Square in Tehran, Iran, early Sunday, April 14, 2024. Iran launched its first direct military attack against Israel on Saturday. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

An Iranian demonstrator ignites a flare as others carry a Palestinian flag during an anti-Israeli gathering at the Felestin (Palestine) Sq. in Tehran, Iran, early Sunday, April 14, 2024. Iran launched its first direct military attack against Israel Saturday. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

In this image provided by the White House, President Joe Biden, along with members of his national security team, receive an update on an ongoing airborne attack on Israel from Iran, as they meet in the Situation Room of the White House in Washington, Saturday, April 13, 2024. From left to right, facing Biden are, Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns; Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence; Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. Some papers on the desk have been blurred by the source for national security reasons. (Adam Schultz/The White House via AP)

Iranian demonstrators chant slogans during their anti-Israeli gathering in front of the British Embassy in Tehran, Iran, early Sunday, April 14, 2024. Iran launched its first direct military attack against Israel on Saturday. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Follow AP’s live updates on Iran’s attack against Israel .

JERUSALEM (AP) — Booms and air raid sirens sounded across Israel early Sunday after Iran launched hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles in an unprecedented revenge mission that pushed the Middle East closer to a regionwide war. A military spokesman said the launches numbered more than 300 but 99% of them were intercepted.

Calling the outcome “a very significant strategic success,” Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Iran fired 170 drones, more than 30 cruise missiles and more than 120 ballistic missiles. Of those, several ballistic missiles reached Israeli territory, causing minor damage to an air base.

Rescuers said a 7-year-old girl in a Bedouin Arab town was seriously wounded in southern Israel, apparently in a missile strike, though they said police were still investigating the circumstances of her injuries.

In Washington, President Joe Biden said U.S. forces helped Israel down “nearly all” the drones and missiles and pledged to convene allies to develop a unified response.

The Iranian attack, less than two weeks after a suspected Israeli strike in Syria that killed two Iranian generals in an Iranian consular building, marked the first time Iran has launched a direct military assault on Israel, despite decades of enmity dating back to the country’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Condemnation from the United Nations chief and others was swift, with France saying Iran “is risking a potential military escalation,” Britain calling the attack “reckless” and Germany saying Iran and its proxies “must stop it immediately.”

Hagari said the vast majority of the intercepts came outside Israel’s borders, including 10 cruise missiles that were intercepted by warplanes.

Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system launches to intercept missiles fired from Iran, in central Israel, Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Tomer Neuberg)

“A wide-scale attack by Iran is a major escalation,” he said. Asked whether Israel would respond, Hagari said only that the army “does and will do whatever is required to protect the security of the state of Israel.” He said the incident was not over, and dozens of Israeli warplanes remained in the skies.

Israel’s military said its Arrow system, which shoots down ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere, handled most interceptions and noted that “strategic partners” were involved.

“At my direction, to support the defense of Israel, the U.S. military moved aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the region over the course of the past week,” Biden said in a statement. “Thanks to these deployments and the extraordinary skill of our service members, we helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles.”

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a separate statement that U.S. forces “intercepted dozens of missiles and UAVs en route to Israel, launched from Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.”

Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke early Sunday, Israeli time, their governments said. Biden said in his statement that he reaffirmed “America’s ironclad commitment” to Israel’s security — a departure from his growing criticism of Israel’s conduct in its war on Hamas in Gaza.

Iran had vowed revenge since the April 1 airstrike in Syria , which Tehran accused Israel of being responsible for. Israel hasn’t commented on it.

Israel and Iran have been on a collision course throughout Israel’s six-month war against Hamas militants in Gaza. The war erupted after Hamas and Islamic Jihad, two militant groups backed by Iran, carried out a devastating cross-border attack on Oct. 7 that killed 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped 250 others. An Israeli offensive in Gaza has caused widespread devastation and killed over 33,000 people, according to local health officials.

Almost immediately after the war erupted, Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group in Lebanon, began attacking Israel’s northern border. The two sides have been involved in daily exchanges of fire, while Iranian-backed groups in Iraq, Syria and Yemen have launched rockets and missiles toward Israel.

In a statement carried late Saturday by Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, the country’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard acknowledged launching “dozens of drones and missiles towards the occupied territories and positions of the Zionist regime.”

In a later statement, the Revolutionary Guard issued a direct warning to the U.S.: “The terrorist U.S. government is warned any support or participation in harming Iran’s interests will be followed by decisive and regretting response by Iran’s armed forces.”

IRNA also quoted an anonymous official saying ballistic missiles were part of the attack. A ballistic missile moves on an arch trajectory, heading up into space before gravity brings the weapon down at a speed several times faster than the speed of sound.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel’s defenses are ready after Iran launched dozens of drones and ballistic missiles on Saturday.

Israel has a multilayered air-defense network that includes systems capable of intercepting a variety of threats including long-range missiles, cruise missiles, drones and short-range rockets. However, in a massive attack involving multiple drones and missiles, the likelihood of a strike making it through is higher.

Iran has a vast arsenal of drones and missiles. Online videos shared by Iranian state television purported to show delta-wing-style drones resembling the Iranian Shahed-136s long used by Russia in its war on Ukraine. The slow-flying drones carry bombs. Ukraine has successfully used both surface-to-air missiles and ground fire to target them.

Some Israelis watched the interceptions light up the night sky.

Air raid sirens were reported in numerous places including northern Israel, southern Israel, the northern West Bank and the Dead Sea near the Jordanian border.

Israel’s army ordered residents in the Golan Heights — near the Syrian and Lebanese borders — as well as the southern towns of Nevatim and Dimona and the Red Sea resort of Eilat into protective spaces. Dimona is home to Israel’s main nuclear facility, and Nevatim has a major air base. Loud booms were heard in Jerusalem and northern and southern Israel.

The army’s Home Front Command canceled school Sunday and limited public gatherings to no more than 1,000 people. Israel and some other countries in the region closed their airspace.

Earlier, Netanyahu warned: “Whoever harms us, we will harm them.”

In Washington, Biden convened a principals meeting of the National Security Council to discuss the attack.

Gen. Erik Kurilla, the head of the U.S. military’s Central Command, was in Israel over the weekend consulting with Israeli defense officials. The Central Command oversees U.S. forces in the Middle East.

Iran’s mission to the United Nations issued a warning to both Israel and the U.S. “Should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe,” it wrote online. “It is a conflict between Iran and the rogue Israeli regime, from which the U.S. MUST STAY AWAY!”

For days, Iranian officials including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had threatened to “slap” Israel for the Syria strike.

In Iran’s capital, Tehran, witnesses saw long lines at gas stations early Sunday as people appeared worried about what may come next. Dozens of hard-liners demonstrated in support of the attack at Palestine Square.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported heavy Israeli airstrikes and shelling on multiple locations in south Lebanon following Iran’s launch of drones. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah said it launched “dozens” of Katyusha rockets at an Israeli military site in the Golan Heights early Sunday. It was not immediately clear if there was any damage.

Iranian missiles or drones were intercepted in the sky above the Jordanian capital, Amman. In Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, and elsewhere in the country, residents reported seeing missiles in the sky and hearing explosions, likely from interceptions. In Syria, explosions were heard in the capital, Damascus, and elsewhere. Britain-based war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Syrian air defenses tried to shoot down Israeli attempts to intercept Iranian missiles.

Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. AP correspondents Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, Michael Balsamo in New York, Krutika Pathi in New Delhi, Stephen Graham in Berlin, Thomas Adamson in Paris, and Zeke Miller and Lolita C. Baldor in Washington contributed to this report.

Iran launches retaliatory attack on Israel with hundreds of drones, missiles

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Reporting by Dan Williams in Jerusalem, Parisa Hafezi in Dubai, Timur Azhari in Baghdad, Jeff Mason, Eric Beech and Doina Chiacu in Washington and Suleiman al-Khalidi in Amman and Lidia Kelly in Lisbon; Writing by Angus McDowall; Editing by Jonathan Oatis, Daniel Wallis, Chizu Nomiyama, Howard Goller and William Mallard

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