Morning Briefing: April 14, 2024

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Sunday, including Iran's launching attack on Israel in a response to Tel Aviv's attack on Iran's consulate in Syria on Apr.1, US announcement that it will stand with Israel as Iran begins airborne attack and Western countries condemning Iran for attacks in Israel.

TOP STORIES

• Comprehensive drone attack launched against Israel: Iranian state television

Iran announced Saturday a comprehensive drone attack against Israel.

Iranian state television reported that the Revolutionary Guards Corps initiated a drone operation targeting targets in occupied territories minutes before the announcement.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abdullahian announced that his country warned the US about the attack against Israel.

He wrote on X that he had discussions with his counterparts from Belgium, the Netherlands, and the Greek Cypriot Administration.

• US says it will stand with Israel as Iran begins airborne attack
  

Iran has begun an airborne attack against Israel, White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said on Saturday.

"This attack is likely to unfold over a number of hours. 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 defense against these threats from Iran," Watson said in a statement.

US President Joe Biden also said Saturday he condemns Iran's airborne attack against Israel in the "strongest possible terms."

"I’ve just spoken with Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu to reaffirm America’s ironclad commitment to the security of Israel.

"I told him that Israel demonstrated a remarkable capacity to defend against and defeat even unprecedented attacks – sending a clear message to its foes that they cannot effectively threaten the security of Israel," Biden said in a statement.

• Western countries condemn Iran for attacks on Israel

Western countries on late Saturday condemned Iran for its retaliatory attack against Israel.

Iran has launched dozens of drones towards Israel, in response to the April 1 attack on its consulate in Syria which killed senior military commanders.

“Iran has once again demonstrated that its intent on sowing chaos in its own backyard,” British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement.

French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said "France condemns in the strongest terms the attack launched by Iran against Israel."

Germany “strongly condemned” Iran’s attack and urged Tehran to immediately end its military action.

​​​“We strongly condemn the ongoing attack, which has the potential to plunge an entire region into chaos,” Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wrote on X. “Iran and its proxies must stop this immediately. Our entire solidarity goes out to Israel in these hours.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

• An Israeli security source claimed Sunday that the US and Britain intercepted more than 100 Iranian drones launched at Israel.

• The Israeli Security Cabinet delegated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Minister Benny Gantz to make decisions about a response in the aftermath of an Iranian attack.

• The Israeli army said Sunday that one of its military bases sustained damage from an Iranian attack.

• UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis voiced concern Saturday about Iran's airborne attack against Israel.

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned Iran's airborne attack Saturday against Israel and urged a cessation of hostilities.

• The UK dispatched several additional jets Saturday to the region amid Iran’s attack on Israel, according to a statement.

• The UN Security Council will meet Sunday after Israel demanded an urgent meeting following an Iranian airborne attack.

• Argentine and Paraguay announced their support for Israel on Saturday following Iran’s drone attack against Israel.

• UNICEF's executive director on Saturday voiced concern over the growing number of child deaths in occupied West Bank.

• Salwan Momika, an Iraqi Christian known for publicly burning copies of the Holy Quran, is back in Sweden after rejection of his asylum request in Norway and spending two weeks in prison.

• Polish troops will come to the defense of Lithuania even if NATO’s Article 5 is not triggered, Poland's President Andrzej Duda said in an interview with Lithuanian television LRT on Friday.

• At least 26 people were killed and several others injured after massive rains and lightning struck parts of northeast and southwest Pakistan over the past 24 hours, provincial rescue officials said on Saturday.

• Germany will send Ukraine another Patriot missile defense system and ammunition, the German chancellor said on Saturday.

SPORTS

• Man City hammer underdogs Luton Town, top English Premier League table

Manchester City dominated underdogs Luton Town 5-1 to top the English Premier League table for the first time since Nov. 25.

Man City took a very early lead at their home Etihad after Luton Town's Daiki Hashioka scored an own goal in the second minute.

• Bayern Munich beat Cologne in German league, keep Leverkusen's title party on hold

Bayern Munich beat Cologne 2-0 in a Saturday German Bundesliga match to delay leaders Bayer Leverkusen's title celebrations.

Hosts Bayern bagged three points after second-half goals scored by Portuguese left-back Raphael Guerreiro and German forward Thomas Muller at the Allianz Arena.

Second-place Bayern boosted their points to 63 in the 29th match week.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Indonesia denies normalization with Israel for OECD membership

Indonesia has denied claims that it will normalize relations with Israel for membership in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) membership, national news agency Antara reported on Friday.

"I emphasize that until now, we have no plan to establish diplomatic relations with Israel, particularly as Israel has yet to cease its atrocities in Gaza until now," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lalu Muhamad Iqbal.

He said Indonesia's stance will not change, and the country will continue to support Palestinian independence and the resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict under the framework of the two-state solution.