Jordan shot down dozens of Iranian drones alongside US, UK: Report
Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles at sensitive sites within Israel in response to the attack on its consulate in Syria
Jordan
intercepted a number of Iranian drones launched at
Israel during Tehran’s Operation True Promise, according to two security sources.
“Jordan's air force intercepted and shot down dozens of Iranian drones that violated its airspace and were heading to Israel … the army was also in a state of high alert and radar systems were monitoring any drone activity coming from the direction of Iraq and Syria,” the two regional security sources
Reuters on Sunday.
Citizens reported hearing loud noises and aerial activity, and videos on social media showed drones and projectiles in Jordan's skies.
Jordanian authorities have not confirmed or denied intercepting any Iranian fire. Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said in a statement that his country will “take all necessary steps to protect its security and sovereignty.”
“The Kingdom of Jordan was the first Arab country to directly protect Israel's skies,” Iranian state news outlet IRNA said.
According to Iranian media reports, Tehran’s forces warned Jordan before the attack not to “engage.”
The US, UK, and France also took part in intercepting Iranian projectiles over Syria that were en route to Israel. Syrian air defense reportedly confronted some of the interceptor missiles.
Tehran has summoned the ambassadors of the UK, France, and Germany over their “double standards” and “irresponsible stance” on the Iranian strikes against Israel.
"Iran's military action against the Zionist regime's [Israel] bases is well within the framework of the right to legitimate defense stipulated in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter and it is in response to a series of crimes, including the recent attack on the embassy compound in Syria," an Iranian Foreign Ministry official said.
The Iranian strikes were a response to the Israeli airstrike on Iran’s consulate in Damascus on 1 April, which destroyed the entire building and killed several top officials and advisors, including Brigadier General Mohamed Reza Zahidi of the IRGC Quds Force. The attack was an unprecedented violation of international law’s protection for diplomatic missions.
The Iranian operation against Israel, dubbed True Promise, began late on 13 April and extended into the early hours of the following day.