Iran fires drones and missiles at Israel: 200 missiles and drones fired; UN calls for restraint

TEL AVIV: Iran fired drones and missiles at Israel. Israel confirmed that about 200 missiles and 10 drones were fired by Iran. The attack started at 2 am Indian time.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded that Israel is ready to face any attack. Two US warships with anti-missile systems have arrived in the eastern Mediterranean for Israel's rescue.

Meanwhile, the United Nations called on Israel and Iran to exercise restraint. Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon closed their airspace in the wake of the attack. India has expressed concern over the Iran-Israel conflict. The Ministry of External Affairs said that the embassies are in touch with Indians in these countries. Flights from India, including Air India, will avoid Iran's airspace.

Last day, Iran seized an Israeli cargo ship which was coming from UAE to Mumbai. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGS) seized the Zodiac Group ship owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer. The container ship MSC Aries was docked in the Strait of Hormuz. Soldiers were descending to the ship from helicopters near the Emirati port city of Fujairah.

The ship was diverted to the coast of Iran. There are 17 Indians on board, including two Malayalis. India initiated diplomatic intervention in Delhi and Tehran immediately to ensure their safety and facilitate their release.

Israel, which is fighting Hamas, had launched an airstrike on the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, two weeks ago. The situation was complicated by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's warning of retaliation after seven people, including two generals, were killed.