Global Stakes Rise in the Wake of Iran’s Drone and Missile Strike on Israel

PTI, Apr 14, 2024, 2:17 PM IST

On Saturday, Iran carried out a major drone and missile strike on Israel, with support from Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

The attack was a response to an Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, which resulted in the deaths of seven members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. This marked the first time Iran directly launched an attack on Israel from its own soil. Despite Israeli Defense Force (IDF) officials claiming that they intercepted 99% of the incoming drones and missiles, several videos showing extensive damage have been circulating online.

The strike impacted at least two Israeli air bases, including the one from which the aircraft that bombed the consulate reportedly originated.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard hailed the strike as a triumph, asserting it as a legitimate defensive measure under Article 51 of the UN Charter, and issued a warning to Israel of a more severe response if the attacks continue.

In response, Israel has appealed to the UN Security Council, condemning the Iranian strike as a severe breach of its national sovereignty.

In support of Israel, the United States and the United Kingdom provided assistance in air defense, with the US also sending the aircraft carrier USS Dwight Eisenhower to the region.

Regional Unrest Grows

On Sunday, Asia woke up to a significant rise in Middle East tensions following Iran’s direct attack on Israel using drones and missiles.

The United States and several Western countries quickly criticized Iran’s actions, concerned about the potential for an expanded conflict that has already troubled the region and disrupted global activities, including shipping in the Red Sea.

The Indian government expressed deep concern over the growing hostilities between Israel and Iran, highlighting the risk to regional peace and security.

New Delhi urged for an immediate calming of tensions, restraint, and a return to diplomatic negotiations, stating, “We call for immediate de-escalation, exercise of restraint, stepping back from violence and return to the path of diplomacy.”

Similarly, China’s Foreign Ministry expressed serious concerns and encouraged the global community, particularly major powers, to help preserve regional peace and stability.

Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also strongly criticized the recent escalation, committing to use all available diplomatic means to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.

The conflict seems poised to deepen global rifts further.

China’s state-run Global Times, in a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), initially criticized international bodies, particularly the United Nations Security Council, for not condemning Israeli strikes on Iranian diplomatic sites.

The U.S. often supports Israel diplomatically at the U.N., where many members have recently criticized and voted against Israel following its severe military action in Gaza. This was in response to a deadly incursion into Israeli land by the Palestinian group Hamas on October 7.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry described the Iranian attack as an extension of the ongoing Gaza conflict, emphasizing the need to halt it.

Preliminary reports suggest that the damage from the Iranian strike was minimal. The Israel Defense Forces reported that they had intercepted most of the launches. A few hits were confirmed, including one at a southern IDF base, which resulted in minor damage to the infrastructure.

Following their statement at the United Nations, Iran’s mission declared that the issue was resolved. However, it was uncertain if Israel would see it the same way, especially since they had previously promised to retaliate against any direct attacks.

In anticipation of possible reciprocal actions, airlines such as Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines announced they would be diverting their routes to avoid Iranian airspace. Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy in Iran urged its citizens and businesses to take safety measures, as reported by China’s state broadcaster CCTV (China Central Television)

Just before the Iranian assault, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had reportedly encouraged China to leverage its influence with Iran to avert such an escalation.

The escalating crisis threatened to dominate German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s trip to China. Arriving in Chongqing on Sunday, his spokesperson criticized the attack by Iran, labeling it “irresponsible and unjustifiable” and warning that it could lead to regional turmoil.

The spokesperson also affirmed, “Germany stands firmly with Israel,” and mentioned plans to coordinate further responses with G7 partners and allies.

Amidst this tension, U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated America’s unwavering support for Israel’s security, particularly against threats from Iran and its affiliates. This statement came following reports that American forces had assisted in defending against the Iranian assault.

Experts remain uncertain about the potential outcomes of these increasing hostilities.

Mick Ryan, a nonresident adjunct fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, mentioned on X that the current crisis in the Middle East could shift Washington’s focus away from the conflict in Ukraine and escalating issues with China over Taiwan and the South China Sea.

He expressed concerns that this shift in attention could be advantageous to both Russia and China, as he believes they would welcome a distracted U.S. administration, as reported by Nikkei Asia

An emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council is scheduled for Sunday.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned Iran’s significant attack on Israel, calling for an immediate end to the fighting. He expressed serious concern about the potential for the conflict to escalate across the region, potentially leading to severe consequences.

Girish Linganna
Defence & Aerospace Analyst
Mobile +91 9845099196

( The author Girish Linganna of this article is a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. You can reach out to him at: [email protected] )