Iran has initiated the deployment of aerial drones and missiles toward Israel, fulfilling expectations for a retaliatory strike.

The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran stated that the attack was directed at specific targets.

Israeli military sources reported the launch of over 100 drones, with some being intercepted by the US, according to CBS News.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared their proactive interception of potential threats, prompting Israel's prime minister to convene a war cabinet meeting.

Sirens blared across Israel as loud explosions resounded over Jerusalem, accompanied by the downing of objects by the city's air defense systems.

The extent of any drones reaching Israel, located approximately 1,100 miles (1,800km) away from Iran, remains unclear. The US has not disclosed the locations of its interceptions.

As a precautionary measure, Israel, Lebanon, and Iraq have closed their airspaces, while Syria and Jordan have heightened their air defense readiness.

Iran's pledge to retaliate followed an attack on its consulate in Syria on April 1st, resulting in the death of seven military personnel, including a senior commander.

It accused Israel of carrying out that attack. Israel neither confirmed nor denied it.

"Iran has launched a direct attack from Iranian soil toward the State of Israel," IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said. "We are closely monitoring Iranian killer drones that are en route to Israel, sent by Iran. This is a severe and dangerous escalation."

He said Israeli air force planes were in the air "ready to counter any threat".

Shortly before news of Iran's drone launches, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country's "defensive systems" were deployed.

"We are ready for any scenario, both defensively and offensively. The State of Israel is strong. The IDF is strong. The public is strong.

"We appreciate the US standing alongside Israel, as well as the support of Britain, France and many other countries."

Earlier this week, Israel's defence and foreign ministers warned that if Iran attacked Israel, Israel would strike back inside Iran.

After news of the Iranian attack broke, US National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said: "President Biden has been clear: our support for Israel's security is ironclad."

"The United States will stand with the people of Israel and support their defence against these threats from Iran."

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned Iran's "reckless" attack, vowing that the UK would "continue to stand up for Israel's security and that of all our regional partners".

Iran's IRGC - the most powerful branch of its armed forces - said it had launched the attack "in retaliation against the Zionist regime's [Israel] repeated crimes, including the attack on the Iranian embassy's consulate in Damascus".

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