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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Sami Quadri,William Mata and Daniel Keane

Middle East crisis LIVE: Israel vows 'stronger response' after shooting down Iranian drones and missiles

Iran launched a massive aerial attack on Israel on Saturday night in retaliation for a suspected air strike on its Damascus consulate.

More than 100 explosive drones were launched by 10.30pm, the Israeli military said, timed to reach their intended targets in the early hours.

IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee said Iran launched more than 300 “threats of various types” toward Israel, including ballistic missiles, drones and cruise missiles.

“We have intercepted 99 per cent of threats towards Israeli territory. This is a very important strategic achievement,” Adraee said.

Israel, Iraq and Jordan closed their air spaces as Israel prepared to defend its skies by intercepting the drones with its advanced air defence systems.

The direct attack, ordered by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was unprecedented and heightened fears Jerusalem could strike back, dragging Iran into conflict with Israel six months after the war against Tehran’s proxy Hamas erupted.

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