RAF Aircraft Deployed to Defend Israel Against Iranian Missile and Drone Strikes

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak authorized the deployment of RAF aircraft from Operation Shader in Syria to defend Israel against imminent Iranian missile and drone attacks, following an emergency Cobra committee meeting. The decision was made after intelligence indicated that strikes against Israel were imminent. The deployment of British aircraft freed up the United States to send more warplanes to the skies over Israel.

On April 13, President Biden and his national security team watched as monitors in the White House Situation Room showed over 100 Iranian ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones heading towards Israel. This massive barrage was feared to potentially overwhelm the strengthened defenses that the U.S. and Israel had been preparing for more than a week.

Iran fired more than 300 missiles and drones at Israel on Saturday night, of which 99% were intercepted according to Israeli officials. The attack was the anticipated response from Tehran to an airstrike at the start of the month on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, which killed seven senior Iranian military officials. The US, UK, France, and Jordan were involved in shooting down the missiles and drones, along with Israel. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said RAF fighter jets had shot down an unspecified number of Iranian attack drones over Syria and Iraq.

Why this matters: The attack risks causing a major war in the region between Iran and Israel, two of the Middle East's most heavily armed countries. It also highlights the ongoing tensions and hostilities between the two nations, with the potential for further escalation and wider regional implications.

Additional RAF jets were deployed over Iraq and Syria, not Israel, to repel any airborne attacks. The attack came after Iran vowed to retaliate for a strike on its consulate in Syria on April 1, which killed seven Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officers. The UK, along with other international leaders, condemned Iran's "reckless attack" and called for calm and de-escalation of the situation.

On April 14, Israel launched a retaliatory strike against Iran following Iran's attack on Israel on April 13-14. The Israeli strike targeted an air defense radar site near Isfahan that's part of the protection of the Natanz nuclear facility. The strike was intended to send a signal to Iran about Israel's capabilities, but not to escalate the situation.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned Iran's attack on Israel and stated that the UK will continue to stand up for Israel's security and work with allies to stabilize the situation and prevent further escalation. The skirmishes between Israel and Iran have been escalating, but the underlying hostility and ideological differences between the two countries remain, and the situation could escalate further.

Key Takeaways

• UK deployed RAF jets to defend Israel against imminent Iranian missile/drone attacks
• Iran fired over 300 missiles/drones at Israel, 99% intercepted by US, UK, France, Jordan
• Attack risks major war between Iran and Israel, highlights ongoing tensions between them
• Israel launched retaliatory strike on Iranian air defense radar site near Isfahan
• UK condemned Iran's attack and pledged to support Israel's security, prevent escalation