In a significant escalation of tensions, Iran launched an extensive drone and missile attack on Israel on Saturday night. The attack was a retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic complex in Syria. Over 300 projectiles, including approximately 170 drones and over 120 ballistic missiles, were fired towards Israel. However, the Israeli military reported that its aerial defense systems, along with the assistance of their partners, successfully intercepted 99% of the incoming projectiles.

This marked the first time that Iran directly assaulted Israel from its own soil, signaling a dangerous new phase in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Responding to the attacks, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations warned that the country would take even stronger actions if Israel chose to retaliate.

During a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Joe Biden assured Israel of America's unwavering commitment to its security. Biden also praised Israel's remarkable capacity to defend against unprecedented attacks, as 99% of the incoming drones and missiles were neutralized.

The US deployed defensive assets earlier in the week to assist Israel in countering the attack. US forces intercepted more than 70 attack drones and at least 3 ballistic missiles launched by Iran. The US Navy's warships in the eastern Mediterranean Sea intercepted the ballistic missiles, while US fighter jets shot down the drones. The presence of two guided missile destroyers played a vital role in intercepting the threats.

Despite the intensity of the attack, there have been no reports of direct injuries caused by Iranian strikes, except for a 7-year-old girl who sustained severe injuries from shrapnel from Israel's interceptor missile.

As news of the attack spread, public shelters were opened in the Israeli city of Haifa, and large public gatherings were banned. Israel closed its airspace, and neighboring countries like Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon also followed suit. However, by Sunday morning, both Israel and Jordan had reopened their airspace.

Iran's mission to the United Nations announced that the attack was "deemed concluded," but warned of a potential for future escalation. In a separate incident, more than 55 rockets were fired from Lebanon towards Israel.

In response to the attack, President Biden convened a meeting with his national security team to assess the situation. The US will also coordinate with G7 leaders for a united diplomatic response to Iran's brazen assault.

Concerns about the conflict further spiraling into a wider regional war have been growing since Iran accused Israel of bombing its diplomatic complex in Syria. The airstrike resulted in the destruction of the consulate building, killing several high-ranking Iranian officials.

Various countries, from the Middle East to Europe and Latin America, have expressed concerns over the potential escalation of the conflict. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, emphasizing the grave risk of a devastating region-wide escalation. Regional powers such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt are actively engaging with all concerned parties to contain the situation.

The European Union's foreign policy chief condemned Iran's attack, describing it as a grave threat to regional security. As tensions mount, the international community continues to closely monitor the situation, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.