Iran launched the attack over a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Syria on April 1 that killed top Revolutionary Guard commanders. However,the attack from more than 300 drones and missiles,mostly launched from inside Iran, caused only modest damage in Israel, as most were shot down with the help of the U.S., Britain, and Jordan. In a significant development, Turkey has declined the United States’ request to use its airspace for potential attacks on Iran. After an airstrike on its Damascus consulate, which resulted in the deaths of 16 people, including a senior Quds Force commander, Iran has vowed retaliation against Israel. The attack on the Iranian consulate was considered a violation of sovereignty and a violation of the Vienna Convention. Hence, the Iranians invoked Article 51 of the UN Charter to justify retaliation as self- defence. As earlier Israel declared war against Hamas is act of self defense. In this case,Iran did the same. However, Israel has neither confirmed nor denied being behind the attack.
Iran’s massive missile and drone attack on Israel, which began in the late hours of April 13, pushed the conflict between the two countries into a potentially explosive new phase. For decades, Israel and Iran have fought a shadow war, attacking each other mostly quietly and, in Iran’s case, often by proxy. In response to the volatile situation, several countries have issued travel advisories. Nations such as India, France, Poland, Germany, and Russia have cautioned their citizens against travelling to the region. On Friday, April 12, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) advised Indians not to travel to Iran and Israel until further notice, “in view of the prevailing situation in the region." All those who are currently residing in Iran or Israel are requested to get in touch with Indian embassies there and register themselves. At least 500 Indians, hired after a process facilitated by the National Skill Development Council (NSDC) along with Israel’s Population, Immigration, and Border Authority (PIBA), have already flown to Israel since April 2, when the first group of 64 workers were flagged off in a ceremony hosted
by the Israeli Embassy in Delhi. War clouds between Iran and Israel have cast a shadow over the future of more than 5,000 Indians who have been recruited for construction work in Israel, even as experts questioned the government for allowing the recruitment at this time.According to the terms offered by the Israeli agency, the workers are expected to travel at their own expense and will only receive contracts once they land in Tel Aviv. Israeli officials had been pushing to fast-track the recruitment process for the past few months, given a major shortfall in labour since the October 7 terror attacks by Hamas, following which the Netanyahu government revoked the entry permits for more than one lakh Palestinian workers. As a result, groups of Indian workers cleared for employment in Israel have been flying to Tel Aviv every day on commercial flights.U.S. President Joe Biden’s policy of containing the West Asian crisis does not seem to be working. Since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack in Israel, Mr. Biden has adopted a policy of offering carte blanche support to Israel's military operations in
the region while at the same time trying, diplomatically, to prevent Israel's actions from leading to regional war. Israel showered fire and fury on Gaza, targetting bulidings across the strip, displacing over 90% of Gaza"s 2.3 million population and killing more than 33,000 Palestinians. But Israel's military operation did not limit itself to Gaza. It carried out air strikes in Syria and Lebanon, mainly targeting Iran and its proxies. The U.S. kept supplying weapons to Israel throughout this conflict and started a military campaign against Yemen's Houthis, who targeted vessels in the Red Sea "in solidarity" with the Palestinians. Mr. Biden was trying to douse regional fires without disrupting his support for Israel. Six months after the attack, Israel's Gaza war remains unfinished, while the conflict has spread to other parts of the region. If Mr. Netanyanhu does not retaliate after Iranian missiles attacked Israeli soil, he would lose credibility further, and Iran would walk away with a victory. If he retaliates, it could open a cycle of attacks. He has to make a tough choice. Iran has sent outa clear message that it is ready for
escalation. When Qassem Soleimani was killed in Iraq in January 2020 by the U.S., Iran launched a missile attack against U.S. bases in Iraq,after giving enough time to the Americans to prepare for the attack. When Gen.Sayyed Reza Mousavi was killed in December in Syria, Iran attacked a building in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, which it claimed was operated by Mossad. But this time, Iran chose a big attack, with 300 drones and dozens of cruise and ballistic missiles, that originated from its soil and targeted Israel proper. This is the first time Iran has launched a direct attack on Israel. And this is the first time any nation-state in the region has launched an attack on Israel since the 1991 Gulf War. So,by launching the midnight attack on Israel, Iran is telling their rivals that the era of strategic patience is over and that they are ready to escalate the shadow war into an open conflict.
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