Israel thwarts drone threat near Syrian border

IDF air defence forces have intercepted a suspicious aerial target near the Syrian-Israeli border.

According to updated information, several attack drones were launched towards Israel but were destroyed before entering Israeli airspace, Caliber.Az reports, citing Israeli media.

Earlier, Iran launched over 100 drones toward Israel, in direct retaliation for a significant Israeli airstrike the previous day targeting Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure—Operation “Rising Lion.”

That Israeli attack involved some 200 aircraft and struck around 100 sites, including the Natanz enrichment plant, Revolutionary Guard facilities, and senior commanders like Major General Mohammad Bagheri and six nuclear scientists.

The incoming Iranian drones were intercepted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), with most being destroyed before entering Israeli airspace. IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin described the drone barrage as “different” and urged resilience in the face of a “difficult hours” scenario. 

As a result of the strikes and risks, Tel Aviv's Pride parade was cancelled and nearby airspaces, including Jordan’s, were shut amid the military escalation.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei called Israel’s preemptive strikes a “declaration of war” and vowed “severe punishment,” while Iran confirmed plans to establish a third uranium enrichment site. 

Globally, reactions varied: the U.S. helped bolster Israeli air defenses and evacuated personnel from embassies, while many nations and regional bodies called for calm and pursued diplomatic de-escalation efforts

By Aghakazim Guliyev