ISLAMABAD (Urdu Times) Israeli and American attacks on Iran, Iran’s response to Operation Promised Sadiq

ISLAMABAD (Urdu Times) The United States and Israel jointly attacked Iran and fired missiles at many cities, including Tehran. Iran has also retaliated and has named the retaliation against the United States and Israel ‘Operation Promised Sadiq 4’. This operation, called ‘Operation Epic Fury’ by the Pentagon, has pushed the Middle East into a new and unpredictable conflict. American and Israeli forces targeted various locations across Iran, in response to which Iran launched retaliatory attacks on Israel and nearby Gulf Arab countries. The briefings described the operation to President Donald Trump as a situation in which the greater the risk, the greater the reward. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif contacted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and expressed his regret over the situation in the Middle East. The US official said that before the attacks, the White House was informed of the multiple risks associated with operations against Iran, including Iranian missile retaliatory attacks on several US bases in the region and attacks on US forces by pro-Iranian groups in Iraq and Syria. Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned Iran’s aggression and blatant violation of the sovereignty of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Kingdom expressed its full solidarity with the brotherly countries and reiterated its determination that Saudi Arabia stands with these countries and places all its capabilities at their disposal to support any action taken by them. Shahbaz Sharif spoke on the phone with the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Excellency Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and strongly condemned the serious regional tensions resulting from Israel’s attack on Iran and the subsequent regrettable attacks on some Gulf countries. He said that such actions are extremely dangerous for the peace and stability of the region and can further worsen the situation. Israel attacked Iran. In the current situation, we assure Pakistan of our full solidarity and full support with the Saudi leadership. Pakistan will stand with its Saudi brothers and sisters in all circumstances, at all times, and in every difficult moment. The Prime Minister reiterated his determination that Pakistan will do its utmost to protect the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia. Will continue its steadfast support. Shahbaz Sharif said that Pakistan is ready to play a constructive and positive role at this critical juncture. He prayed that peace, stability, and harmony be established in the region as soon as possible with the blessings of the holy month of Ramadan. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has announced that it has targeted several US military bases in the region, including the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet stationed in Bahrain. According to the media, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps said that it has targeted US bases in Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as military bases located in the center of the occupied Palestinian territories (Israel). The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps says that ‘Operation Promise of Truth 4′ is being carried out against the US army and the child-killing Zionist regime, under which attacks have been carried out on the regional targets of the aggressor enemy. According to the media, Israel targeted a girls’ school in the city of Manab in Hormozgan province, resulting in the martyrdom of 53 female students and the injury of 63 others. According to officials, Israel directly targeted the Shajarah Tayyiba school, killing several female students. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has vowed that missile and drone attacks by Iran’s armed forces will continue. According to media reports, explosions occurred in the Iranian capital, Tehran, where missiles were fired in the northern regions. The media said that Israel targeted Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport, in addition to which explosions were heard in Sistan, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, Kermanshah, Lorestan, and Tabriz. Seven missiles fell near the Iranian presidential palace and the compound of Supreme Leader Khamenei. Iran’s spiritual leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, is not in Tehran. Ayatollah Khamenei has been moved to a safe location, while Iran has closed its airspace after the attack. Iraq has also suspended air traffic. There are also reports of several civilians being injured in the attacks. According to the media, a US official said that President Donald Trump was angry with Iran for not signing a deal on uranium enrichment, and US attacks on Iran are continuing from the air and sea. The Israeli military has confirmed that a missile attack has been launched by Iran, and they are operating defense systems to deal with the threat. Iranian officials say that Iran is preparing for retaliation after the US and Israeli attacks, and our response will be very tough. The head of the Iranian parliamentary National Security Committee said in this regard that the end of these attacks is no longer in your control. The British news agency quoted sources as saying that Iranian Defense Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Mohammad Pakpour, were martyred in the Israeli attacks. However, official confirmation in this regard has not yet emerged.Saudi Arabia warned of the grave consequences of the continued violations of the sovereignty of states and the principles of international law, stressing that such actions undermine regional security and stability. Saudi Arabia also called on the international community to condemn these attacks and take decisive action against these Iranian violations that pose a threat to regional peace and security. According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araqchi held a telephone conversation, in which both sides stressed the need to immediately reduce the rising tensions in the region. According to the spokesperson, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araqchi spoke to Ishaq Dar over the phone, during which the overall situation in Iran and the region was discussed in detail. The leaders reviewed the recent situation in Iran and the wider region and considered its various aspects. Ishaq Dar strongly condemned the unjustified attacks against Iran and stressed that tensions should be reduced immediately. He said that the rapid resumption of diplomatic processes is essential for a peaceful and negotiated solution to the current crisis. Dialogue and diplomacy are the only effective ways to resolve the conflict, through which lasting peace and stability can be ensured in the region. It should be noted that Israel and the United States have attacked Iran, in response to which Iran has also fired missiles at Israel. Qatar and Saudi Arabia have called for an immediate end to the worsening situation in the Middle East after the Israeli and US attacks on Iran. Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani had a telephone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. According to Al Jazeera, the two leaders discussed the regional and global situation, while emphasizing a return to the negotiating table and an immediate end to tensions. France has expressed concern about the war between Iran, the United States, and Israel. President Macron said that he is taking steps to protect national security and his interests in the Middle East, and is ready to provide resources to defend close allies if necessary. He said that Iran has no choice but to negotiate on its nuclear ballistic program. According to the report, the Lebanese resistance organization Hezbollah has condemned the US and Israeli attack on Iran and called it a continuation of the arrogant, hegemonic approach in the region. The Lebanese group has expressed solidarity with Iran. Hezbollah has not said whether it will take any action in support of its long-time ally. In addition, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have issued a message that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed, and no ship is currently allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. According to the media, about a fifth of the world’s crude oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Oil is transported from countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Iran to other countries through the Strait of Hormuz. After the joint Israeli and American attack on Iran, attacks on American assets have also begun in the Middle East. A missile attack was carried out on the US Fifth Fleet Service Center in Manama, the capital of Bahrain. According to Al Jazeera, Iran has launched attacks on US military bases in the Gulf countries and has fired missiles at US bases in Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. Bahrain says the headquarters of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet has been targeted. Bahrain has confirmed that the headquarters of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet has been targeted by a missile attack. The Bahraini Interior Ministry has appealed to citizens to stay in safe places and has asked people not to use the main highways. According to Al Jazeera, explosions were also heard in Kuwait, and sirens sounded. Reuters reported that an explosion was also reported in Abu Dhabi. A powerful explosion was reported from the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi. AFP says that an explosion also occurred in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh.

Al Jazeera says that two more explosions have been heard in the Qatari city of Doha, while the Qatari Ministry of Defense says that the missiles launched by Iran are being intercepted, and the missiles were shot down before reaching the country’s territory. The security situation in the country is stable and under full control. Jordan has also shot down two ballistic missiles; the country’s army says that two ballistic missiles were shot down over Jordan. However, it is not clear who fired the missiles. On the other hand, the Qatari Ministry of Defense has said that the Iranian missile passing through Qatari airspace has been shot down by the defense system, and the British Embassy in Qatar has issued an advisory for its citizens and has instructed them to stay in a safe place. It should be noted that Iran is launching retaliatory missile attacks on Israel. More than 30 ballistic missiles have been fired from Israel. Iranian media say that the Israeli capital, Tel Aviv, was rocked by explosions. Explosions were also heard in the northern Israeli city of Haifa. After the joint US-Israeli attack on Iran, a senior Iranian official said, “Be prepared for what is to come. All American and Israeli assets in the region are our targets. Our response will be public, and there is no red line. This war and aggression will have widespread and lasting effects.” Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates has temporarily closed its airspace. Following the attacks on Iran, airspace in much of the Gulf and the Middle East has been closed or partially restricted, significantly impacting international air travel. Due to the changing situation in the Middle East, PIA has suspended its air operations to Gulf countries. PIA’s flights to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Doha, and Kuwait have been suspended. Flights will initially not operate until tomorrow evening or until the airspace is restored. PIA’s flights to Saudi Arabia will continue, but their route has been changed. The flights have been transferred to Boeing 777 aircraft and will reach their destinations via a longer route. According to the PIA spokesperson, a decision on further resumption or suspension of flight operations will be taken after reviewing the situation. The decision has been taken in view of the situation in the region. The US and Israel launched coordinated air and sea attacks against Iran, following which retaliatory missile and drone actions have been reported from Iran. Due to this tension, several countries have closed or partially restricted their airspace, as a result of which major delays, cancellations, and route changes are expected in international flights. Due to regional security reasons, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Israel, and other neighboring countries have imposed partial closures of their airspace, which has disrupted even the world’s busiest air corridors. Many airlines have canceled or diverted their flights to Karachi, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other Middle Eastern destinations due to security concerns. The impact of this airspace closure is not only being felt on long-haul travel, but many international flights are not continuing their normal routes, causing disruption to connectivity between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Experts say that until the security situation improves, air travelers should expect possible delays, cancellations, and rerouting. Various reports regarding explosions and the security situation in Gulf countries are circulating on social media; however, reliable sources and official statements are not confirming these claims. Government and aviation authorities have advised passengers to get information about the latest status of their flights directly from airlines and official sources and not to rely on unverified reports. The nefarious role of India, Iran’s so-called friend, in the current situation in the Middle East has come to light. India has accused the US and Israel of being Iran’s enemy. India suggested that Iran would have to be bombed for several weeks to bring about regime change. The US and Israel attack Iran, and Russia offers cooperation for a peaceful solution. Russia calls for an immediate political and diplomatic path. We are ready to assist in a peaceful solution based on international law, mutual respect, and a balanced view of interests. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the military preparations in the region before the attacks on Iran show that this is a well-thought-out plan. The attacks on Iran are an act of unprovoked armed aggression; these attacks are a clear violation of international law. It is extremely regrettable that these attacks were carried out when the negotiation process was resumed. The spokesperson said that Russia was assured that Israel is not interested in a military confrontation with Iran. The international community should review these irresponsible actions; these attacks are undermining peace, stability, and security in the Middle East. According to Russia, Washington and Tel Aviv are on a dangerous path; the US and Israel want to remove a constitutional government that refused to bow to pressure and force. The United States and Israel are justifying their actions in the name of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Bombing nuclear facilities under the supervision of the IAEA is unacceptable; the objectives of Washington and Tel Aviv have nothing to do with the global non-proliferation regime. A foreign news agency has claimed that Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasserzadeh was killed in the Israeli attacks. According to a foreign news agency, Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammad Pakpour also lost his life in the Israeli aggression. A Pakistani citizen died in Abu Dhabi, UAE, after being hit by missile fragments. According to media reports, the identity of the deceased Pakistani has not been revealed yet. In addition, the United Arab Emirates has expressed condolences to the family of the Pakistani killed in the Iranian attacks and said that targeting civilians is condemnable. On the other hand, Pakistani diplomatic officials confirmed the killing of the Pakistani citizen. Officials said that they are in contact with Emirati authorities regarding the killing of the Pakistani citizen.