As anticipated, we were able to locate the MSC ARIES (9857169) which was hijacked by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) two days ago (2024-04-13) in the international waters of the Gulf of Oman. The vessel was taken to the Hormozgan archipelago, between the islands…

Senior admin official: “Israel came out far ahead. It took out IRGC military leadership in the Levant and demonstrated military superiority with allies.” “No significant damage in Israel” despite Iran’s clear intent to cause harm. In other words last night was not for show. Iran…

Sr Admin Official described Iranian attack on Israel last night as “unprecedented” and a “spectacular defeat” for Iran, whose intent was “to cause maximum death and destruction.” Biden admin official added Iran did not give “heads up” to U.S. or Israel as to scope of attack;…

VIDEO: Israeli fighter jets intercept Iranian drones and missiles overnight

No one will learn the names of the sailors and pilots from strike group 2 USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (IKE) Chowdah Hill but, they saved lives last night.

While airspace has been reopened in the region, some restrictions are in place.

❌🇮🇶↔️🇮🇷 Flights between Iraq and Iran are currently prohibited by Iran through tomorrow.

Flights traveling north-south through Iran are limited to specific routes that have been moved east.

The Iranian attack overnight against Israel was a direct response to the killing of 7 IRGC members, including Brig. Gen. Mohammad Zahedi. Israel's war cabinet is meeting now to determine if and how the country will strike back.

Israeli front pages this morning:
An Iranian attack

Iran attacks appear to have paused for now, US defense official tells Fox's Liz Friden

I condemn Iran's attacks in the strongest possible terms and reaffirm America’s ironclad commitment to the security of Israel.

My full statement on Iran’s attacks against Israel:

#Statement | The Foreign Ministry expresses Saudi Arabia’s deep concern over the military escalation developments in the region and its serious repercussions and urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to protect the region and its people from the dangers of war.

Canada unequivocally condemns Iran’s airborne attacks against Israel – and the Iranian regime’s disregard for peace and stability in the region. My statement:
pm.gc.ca/en/news/statem…

Additional Royal Air Force jets and air refuelling tankers have deployed to the Middle East to bolster Op Shader, the UK’s existing counter-Daesh operation in Iraq & Syria.
 
In addition, the jets will intercept airborne attacks within range of our existing missions. My statement:

A combination of Israeli missile-defense systems and fighter-jets (operated it seems by more than one country) have intercepted the first waves of drones and missiles launched by Iran. So far 1 Israeli wounded. The west should be providing this level of defense to Ukraine as well

Iran has launched drones & missiles on Israel. We condemn the ongoing attack in the strongest possible terms, risking to plunge an entire region into chaos. Iran & its proxies must stop this immediately. In these hours, we stand firmly by Israel. Außenministerin Annalena Baerbock

The EU strongly condemns the unacceptable Iranian attack against Israel.

This is an unprecedented escalation and a grave threat to regional security.

Eran Etzion, former deputy head of the National Security Council in the Israeli Prime Minister's office: '...it seems that Iran does not intend to enter into a full-scale war. This is also clearly evident from the wording of the American response. Both countries are trying to…

Situation according to official NOTAMs at 21:35 UTC time.
* Iran airspace closed to VFR flights only.
* Jordan airspace closed.
* Iraq airspace closed.
* Lebanon airspace closed.
* Israel airspace closed.

Situation according to official NOTAMs 20:45 UTC time.
* Iran airspace closed to VFR flights only.
* Jordan airspace closed.
* Israel airspace close at 21:30 UTC.

Probably not last, but it's interesting to see if Iran could use this ship seizure as a means to delay or reassess its riskier form of retaliation through missiles or drones. While it's unlikely to be deemed by Tehran an appropriate response, it could afford it additional time to…