On April 13, 2024, Iran launched attacks inside Israel through drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. Israel was successful in intercepting and destroying most of the drones and missiles through its three-pronged defence system, Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Arrow System.[i]The two countries have been involved in a shadow war in the West Asia region through proxies, assassinations, and cyber warfare. The October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel and the subsequent Gaza War escalated the danger of a possible direct confrontation between Tehran and Tel Aviv. After Israel’s bombardment of the Iranian Consulate in Damascus (Syria) on April 1, 2024, which killed 16 IRGC officials, including two Generals Brig-Gen Mohammad Reza Zahedi, and his deputy, Brig-Gen Mohammad Hadi Haji-Rahimi, it was expected that Iran will retaliate. Iran’s direct attack has further escalated tensions in the region with anticipation of a possible Israel attack.
The Iranian attack on Israel’s territory has revealed that the region is deeply divided. While Egypt has decided to take a neutral stand, Jordan has shifted its position from neutrality to siding with Israel as it shot down the Iranian drones. Turkey desires to play the role of a mediator. Shiite militias in Lebanon and Iraq launched missiles and projectiles in tandem with the launch of Iranian missiles and drones to attack Israel. Besides, the Syrian government and pro-Iran militias extended their full support to Iran. The paper aims to identify the responses of the regional actors towards the recent Israel-Iran conflict.
Response of Major Regional Actors
Egypt’s Consistent Neutrality
Egypt’s air defence system was put on high alert since Iran attacked Israel. One of the Egyptian officials stated, “We are ready to intercept and shoot down any Iranian drones or missiles that violate its airspace.”[ii]Following the attack, Egyptian government called for restraint without condemning Iran for its attack on Israel. However, prominent news outlets have blamed Israel for the recent attacks conducted by Iran. Egypt’s news portal, The Daily News, noted that the current escalation was the outcome of the risks that Egypt had consistently warned about, notably the expansion of the conflict in the region after Israel’s recent military operations in the Gaza Strip and provocative actions in the area.[iii] Al-Ahram interviewed the former Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Hegazy on April 14, 2024, who stated that “Israeli aggressions in Syria and Lebanon, including the attack on the Iranian Consulate in Damascus, were an attempt from the Israeli government to drag the region into more violence.”[iv] Egyptian government has taken a neutral position on Iran’s attack on Israel. However, its media houses have not shied away from targeting Israel for the regionalization of the conflict.
Jordan’s Shift from Foe to Friend towards Israel
Jordan has shifted its approach towards Israel. Historically, Jordan and Israel have a tense relationship because of the spillover effects of Israel’s policy towards Palestinians. Jordan has been critical of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. However, Jordan has taken a pro-Israel stand in the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. Jordan fighter jets shot down the Iranian drones en route to Israel as they violated its airspace, which changed its position from a foe to a friend towards Israel.[v]Jordan has opened up its airspace for Israeli planes to shoot down Iranian drones and missiles. However, the Iranian semi-official Mehr News Agency reported that Iranian Defence Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani issued a strong warning, stating that “Tehran would strongly retaliate against any nation that allows Israel to use its airspace or territory for attacks on Iran.”[vi] The Jordanian government, in a statement, stated that “some objects that entered our airspace last night were intercepted because they posed a threat to our people and populated areas.”[vii] Jordan’s decision to take sides is part of its strategy, proving it is a good partner for the USA and Israel.
Turkey’s Tacit Understanding
Upon the Iranian attack on Israel, Turkey declined the USA’s request to use its airspace for potential attacks on Iran. Reuters also reported that Turkey was aware of the Iranian attack. The Foreign Minister of Turkey, Hakan Fidan, had discussions with the USA and Iran a week before regarding the planned Iranian operation. During the discussions, Washington conveyed to Tehran via Ankara that any action must stay “within certain limits.”[viii] Turkey had condemned Israel’s counterattack since the October 7 Gaza War. However, Turkey expressed its desire to play the role of a mediator to prevent the conflict from escalating and channelling Tehran’s and Washington’s expectations towards each other.
Response of Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon
Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon are considered proxies of Iran, waging wars against Israel. Iran strikes at Israeli territory through Hezbollah (Lebanon), Hamas, and with the help of Al-Hashd al-Shaabi[ix] (Iraq). Notably, Al-Hashd al-Shaabi is also targeting the USA bases in Iraq and Syria. In the region, the USA’s Fighter Jets shot down incoming drones from Iran as they were intercepted in Syria and Iraq.[x] Besides, the UK’s Royal Air Force shot down the drones and missiles under its Operation Shader mission against the Islamic State in Iraq.[xi]
Following the attack on Israel, Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which is Iran’s most powerful proxy ally, made a statement, congratulating the Iranian leadership for achieving its military goals despite the USA and its regional partners acting to foil it.[xii] Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli positions in the annexed Golan Heights at around the same time of the Iranian bombardment.
Iraq’s militias also took part in this collaborative attack on Israeli territory. Kaitab Hezbollah is alleged to have been commanded and paid by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, took part in the attack against Israel. It is part of the Al-Hashd al-Shaabi, led by the Chief of Staff Abdul Aziz al-Muhammadawi (aka Abu Fadak), who identifies Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as his commander.[xiii] Besides, there are other prominent militias, such as the Nujaba group, Badr Organization, and Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq, which also supported Iran during its attack on Israel. They hailed it as a new stage in the struggle against Israel.
The Syrian government has also justified Iran’s response as an act of “self-defence,” according to Article 51 of the UN Charter. The Foreign Minister of Syria, Faisal Mekdad, told the media that “Iran’s response is a legitimate right to self-defence,”[xiv]following the bombing of its Consulate in Damascus. Apart from the Syrian government’s support to Iran, there are several pro-Iran militias in Syria such as 313 Battalion Force, Liwa al-Baqir, and Quwat al-Rida which endorsed the Iranian attack on Israel.
In a nutshell, the ongoing escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran has unprecedented implications for the security, stability and economic prosperity of the region and the world. The West Asia region looks more divided than before in regard to taking a unified approach to contain the conflict. Israel has clearly stated that it will wait for the right time to avenge the Iranian attack, while Iran has also announced that it will take further steps if Israel continues to attack Iran. The fear is, as several media outlets have reported, that Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility is the target of Israel’s counterattack, which will have large-scale implications for the region.
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*Dr. Arshad, Research Fellow, Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA)
Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal
Endnotes
[i]The Iron Dome intercepts short-range rockets, David’s Sling intercepts medium-range rockets and the Arrow System intercepts long-range rockets.
[ii] “Egypt puts air defense on high alert,” Wall Street Journal, April 15, 2024, accessed https://tinyurl.com/4btmw9ub, April 15, 2024.
[iii] “Egypt voices concerns over Iran-Israel escalation, urges restraint,” Daily News, April 13, 2024, accessed https://tinyurl.com/26zeh6xt, April 15, 2024.
[iv] “Israeli aggressions are attempts to drag region into violence: Former Egyptian diplomat,” Ahram Online, April 14, 2024, accessed https://tinyurl.com/xz6n77az, April 16, 2024.
[v] “From foe to ally: Jordanian air force downs Iranian drones en route to Israel,” The Jerusalem Post, April 14, 2024, accessed https://tinyurl.com/5946e9xn, April 16, 2024.
[vi] “US attacks Iranian drones launched towards Israel, guns down a few over Iraq,” Business Today, April 14, 2024, accessed https://tinyurl.com/bdhsp7d8, April 16, 2024.
[vii] “Why did some Arab countries appear to help Israel?” DW.Com, April 14, 2024, accessed https://tinyurl.com/3u9sk73v, April 17, 2024.
[viii] “Iran informs Turkey in advance about planned operation against Israel: Report,” Times of India, April 14, 2024, accessed https://tinyurl.com/ea25vp5c, April 17, 2024.
[ix]It is also called Popular Mobilization Forces and has been active since 2014. It is loosely organised into 67 different armed factions and has been funded and supported by the IRGC.
[x] “Iran not looking for tension:spokesman,” Tasnim News Agency, April 15, 2024, accessed https://tinyurl.com/3y342tfx, April 17, 2024.
[xi] “RAF shot down Iranian drones heading for Israel, Sunak confirms,” The Guardian, April 14, 2024, accessed https://tinyurl.com/y465py64, April 17, 2024.
[xii] “Middle East crisis: Visual guide to Iran’s attack on Israel,” The Guardian, April 14, 2024, accessed https://tinyurl.com/yu6mutk3, April 17, 2024.
[xiii] “Kataib Hezbollah is part of Iraq’s PMF,” Washington Institute, April 15, 2024, accessed https://tinyurl.com/d3j83c45, April 17, 2024.
[xiv] “Syria says Iran exercised ‘right to self-defence’ in attack on Israel,” Times of India, April 14, 2024, accessed https://tinyurl.com/33v8dey7, April 17, 2024.