[By Guancha Observer Network, Shao Yun]

Following Israel's sudden air strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, the Israeli Defense Forces stated on the 13th that Iran had launched at least 100 drones towards Israeli territory for retaliation. Iran accused Israel of equivalent to "declaring war" with this attack and urged the United Nations Security Council to intervene.

The Israeli Defense Forces said on the 13th that "the situation is under control." The Times of Israel pointed out that so far no drones have reached Israeli territory, but the IDF has not yet confirmed the interception of all drones. Meanwhile, the Israeli Home Front Command issued the latest message, informing civilians that they no longer need to approach bomb shelters, but still prohibits gatherings.

According to reports from Iran's Tehran Times and Agence France-Presse, Iranian Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian sent a letter to the UN on the 13th regarding Israel's initiation of the air strike, requesting an urgent meeting of the Security Council to "strongly condemn this invasion and immediately take clear measures to hold Israel accountable." AFP reported that Amirabdollahian described this attack as an act of "war declaration" against Iran in the letter.

According to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on the 13th, Israel's current round of actions may last for several days. According to the latest report by Iran's Tasnim News Agency on the 13th, Tabriz International Airport in northwest Iran "is currently being heavily attacked by Israel." Iranian television footage showed explosions occurring in Tabriz with thick smoke rising.

Al Jazeera predicts that this will provoke a stronger counterattack from Iran in the next few hours. CNN believes that the drone operation will be the first phase of Iran's larger-scale counterattack. Iran's Armed Forces General Staff and Iran's Defense Minister warned on the 13th that Iran is prepared for a "long-term battle lasting years," and there are no restrictions on countermeasures.

Israeli media previously estimated that the first batch of Iranian drones would arrive over Israeli airspace around noon local time (around 4 PM Beijing time). However, according to the Israeli Defense Forces, before this time point, Israeli military personnel had already targeted approaching drones outside Israeli airspace.

"All (air) defense arrays are in operation to intercept threats," said Effie Defrin, an Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson, earlier on the 13th. "This is different from what we have experienced so far, and we expect to face difficult moments."

Social media videos appear to show Iranian drones flying over Iraq heading toward Israel. There are also reports that air raid sirens have been sounded in Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

According to a report by Petra News Agency of Jordan on the 13th, several missiles and drones entering Jordanian airspace were intercepted by Jordanian fighter jets and air defense systems on the morning of the same day.

Petra News Agency quoted a military source from the Jordanian Armed Forces General Staff as saying that the Royal Jordanian Air Force is "on high alert." The report also stated that the Jordanian Armed Forces emphasized that under no circumstances would any violation of its airspace be allowed.

Currently, Israelis are preparing for possible Iranian air strikes. Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv announced on the 13th that it was temporarily closed. Israir, El Al, and Arkia airlines announced that they are evacuating and relocating airport aircraft. Emirates Airlines canceled flights to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iran on the 13th and 14th.

Ori Goldberg, an Israeli political scientist, told Al Jazeera that the Israeli government's warning to the public to stockpile two weeks' worth of essential supplies has led to panic buying in some Israeli supermarkets.

"I live above a small grocery store in Herzliya near Tel Aviv, and I went there around 10 AM today, feeling like 'Saigon falling'." Goldberg said, "The line stretched endlessly, leaving only the worst quality dry goods. This caused extreme panic."

On the 13th, Israeli embassies in multiple countries announced that due to "recent developments," Israeli missions worldwide would close and suspend consular services until further notice.

After the IDF first struck Iran, the Israeli Home Front Command had announced revised guidelines, prohibiting all educational, gathering, and workplace activities except for essential departments. Tzvika Tessler, Commander of the Israeli Home Front Command, warned on the morning of the 13th that Israel might suffer a "major attack from the east" in the next few hours, which could be "heavy missiles" targeting any part of the country.

Many flights at Israeli airports have been canceled. CNN screenshot

Previously, the IDF launched Operation "Strength of Lions" in the early hours of the 13th, targeting dozens of facilities related to Iran's nuclear program and other military installations. The IDF stated that Iran possesses enough enriched uranium to produce several bombs within days, thus requiring preemptive action against this "imminent threat."

Iranian media confirmed on the 13th that General Hossein Salami, Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Baqeri, were killed in this attack. Also targeted were Ali Shamkhani, Political Advisor to Supreme Leader Khamenei and former Secretary of the National Security Council of Iran, who was reported by some media as deceased and others as seriously injured. CNN described them as "three most powerful figures in Iran."

From left to right: Salami, Shamkhani, and Baqeri. CNN chart

In addition, preliminary statistics from Iran indicate that six Iranian nuclear scientists were also killed in the air strike, including Tehranqi, a senior expert in the Nuclear Safety Department of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, and Davani, an Iranian nuclear physicist and former chairman of the Atomic Energy Organization.

Supreme Leader Khamenei issued a statement on the 13th saying that several commanders and scientists were killed in the attack, exposing the evil nature of Israel's attacks on residential areas. He stated that "severe punishment awaits Israel," and that "this attack by Israel has written a tragic fate for itself and will suffer pain." The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that they would "firmly retaliate" against Israel in coordination with other armed forces.

According to Tasnim News Agency, after Salami's death was confirmed, Supreme Leader Khamenei issued decrees appointing Mohammad Pakpour as the new Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Abdolrahim Mousavi as the new Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, and Ali Shadmehrani as the new Commander of the Armed Forces.

This article is an exclusive contribution from the Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7515390209547158025/

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