My live coverage of Iran’s missile and drone attack on Israel Saturday night, as it happened.
Obviously much of this information has either been confirmed, disproven or become obsolete by now, but the thread is full of interesting details that didn’t make it into my latest write-up at Antiwar.com – including photos and videos of the attack in progress.
Still yet to be confirmed. https://t.co/GOOCY2RPId
— Will Porter (@TheWillPorter) April 13, 2024
Prior reports suggest Iranian drones would take up to 9 hours to reach Israel. Could be a while before anything actually happens.https://t.co/DkDrb0ocjL
— Will Porter (@TheWillPorter) April 13, 2024
Confirmed by IRGC. Updates soon at @Antiwarcom.
— Will Porter (@TheWillPorter) April 13, 2024
Unclear exactly the scope of the attack or number of projectiles involved. Reports say they’re HESA Shahed 136s.
Some analysts suggesting the first wave may be more of a SEAD operation to clear the way for the real strikes.https://t.co/JsxRB2j02Y
— Will Porter (@TheWillPorter) April 13, 2024
*SEAD = “Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses,” or actions aimed to destroy, overwhelm or otherwise disable a military’s air defense capabilities. Israel has several such systems in addition to the well-known Iron Dome, including its long-range Arrow interceptors, the David’s Sling platform for medium-range projectiles, and the shorter-range Iron Beam directed-energy weapon.
Hezbollah also likely to keep Israeli AD busy tonight.https://t.co/2jaLHji9bI
— Will Porter (@TheWillPorter) April 13, 2024
Reports that American craft have been scrambled alongside the IDF.https://t.co/sVh8bc8Et8
— Will Porter (@TheWillPorter) April 13, 2024
And reports UK has scrambled its own aircraft from the Mediterranean.https://t.co/vqKXb3xeRA
— Will Porter (@TheWillPorter) April 13, 2024
Already see Hezbollah playing its part, wondering when/if the Houthis in Yemen, Kata’ib Hezbollah in Iraq, other Shia militias in Syria and elsewhere also join the party. Keeping eye out for attacks on US bases or warships.
— Will Porter (@TheWillPorter) April 13, 2024
ICYMI: Earlier Saturday IRGC naval forces stormed a Portuguese-flagged cargo ship with reported ties to Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer. Believe the vessel and its crew of 25 remain in Iranian custody.
Can’t imagine that’s a coincidence. https://t.co/oNoj02a46m
— Will Porter (@TheWillPorter) April 13, 2024
For those just now tuning in, the Iranian attack is retaliation for an Israeli strike on Tehran’s consulate in Damascus earlier this month, which killed 7 officials, including a senior IRGC commander.
Covered here by the great @DecampDave. https://t.co/6HhgIErVWc
— Will Porter (@TheWillPorter) April 13, 2024
Asked directly whether the United States would get involved in Iran-Israel hostilities earlier this week, Pentagon spox Pat Ryder offered only a boilerplate response. Did not rule out intervention.https://t.co/02ZtIbRYrv pic.twitter.com/R5QOGjzJ6x
— Will Porter (@TheWillPorter) April 13, 2024
Regional states shutting down their airspace, at least Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Kuwait for now.https://t.co/hjmEnSeJoR
— Will Porter (@TheWillPorter) April 13, 2024
-Israeli sources tell ABC Iranian strikes will be limited to military sites, and will also involve cruise missiles fired from Iraq.
-US official says US has intercepted some drones, with some reports stating 100+ UAVs may have already been downed.https://t.co/jSgJ2IIVtz pic.twitter.com/PvFxYeq7DT
— Will Porter (@TheWillPorter) April 13, 2024
Very interesting. Iran’s UN mission says operation has “concluded.”
That’s it?
https://t.co/ITVf4i943A— Will Porter (@TheWillPorter) April 13, 2024
Not sure if this would be the result of intercepted drones, or IDF retaliation.https://t.co/Prdzz9mwKZ
— Will Porter (@TheWillPorter) April 13, 2024
Similar question with this TOI update. Are “booms” actual strikes hitting targets, or air interceptions?
National ambulance service reports no injuries so far. https://t.co/otUt356LsV pic.twitter.com/IbwAsaWy7t
— Will Porter (@TheWillPorter) April 13, 2024
Jordanian forces reportedly downing “dozens” of drones en route to Israel.https://t.co/GXQlWJICD5
— Will Porter (@TheWillPorter) April 13, 2024
Not discounting Israeli retaliation at some point here, but just FYI:https://t.co/1EEHcUMx7X
— Will Porter (@TheWillPorter) April 13, 2024
Unnamed US official to ABC:
Attack could involve up to 500 projectiles, including drones and missiles fired from various points around the region, most from Iran itself.
Unclear how many of those intercepted by now.https://t.co/yJTUUAnfHg pic.twitter.com/ZbRmBmyCwI
— Will Porter (@TheWillPorter) April 13, 2024
More old footage going around.
This Telegraph vid is over 6 months old and depicts a Hamas rocket attack on Ashkelon, not Iranian drone strikes tonight.
Friendly reminder to not believe everything you see on the internet…https://t.co/0lCEUv6iqG pic.twitter.com/tAOD9BFfb1
— Will Porter (@TheWillPorter) April 13, 2024
Israeli broadcaster Kan says this photo shows an interception over the Knesset, Israel’s legislature.https://t.co/7HkINVuRAc
— Will Porter (@TheWillPorter) April 13, 2024
Israel’s national ambulance service says a 10-year-old boy is in “critical condition,” presumably in connection to the attack. No details on exact circumstances.https://t.co/YXuB95NxUY
— Will Porter (@TheWillPorter) April 13, 2024
Iranian media sharing footage purporting to show missiles hitting targets.https://t.co/uL4HE16P1v
— Will Porter (@TheWillPorter) April 14, 2024
Biden’s response here is extremely tame. Expected he’d hawk it up more.
As pointed out to me by a former editor of mine, nowhere does he describe Iran’s attack as “terrorism,” and even specifies it was “against military facilities.”
Full statement:https://t.co/8rzOMO6bg6 pic.twitter.com/9LEKwwqcz1
— Will Porter (@TheWillPorter) April 14, 2024
Barring any massive developments this’ll wrap up tonight’s coverage.
Read my updated story for @Antiwarcom with all the latest:https://t.co/g3x1uOWW3v
— Will Porter (@TheWillPorter) April 14, 2024
If you like this kind of news coverage, follow me on Twitter at @TheWillPorter, with much more in my archive here at the Institute, as well as in the news and viewpoints sections at Antiwar.com.
