Premier Sunak confirms UK jets shot down drones launched by Iran against Israel

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - The British prime minister confirmed on Sunday that Royal Air Force (RAF) planes shot down "a number of Iranian attack drones," launched against Israel last night.

In a video, shared on X, Rishi Sunak reiterated his condemnation over Iran's retaliatory attack against Israel, saying this was a "dangerous and unnecessary escalation."

He said that these missiles were intercepted thanks to an international coordinated effort, reminding that Britain has sent additional RAF planes to the region "as part of our existing operations to counter Daesh in Iraq and Syria."

"I can confirm that our planes did shoot down a number of Iranian attack drones," he noted.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a barrage of drones and missiles at Israel late on Saturday in response to the April 1 attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

The attack, which killed seven Iranian military officials, including a senior IRGC commander, drew sharp reactions from the Iranian government officials, who vowed "decisive response."

According to some unconfirmed reports, IRGC fired more than 300 drones and missiles in an attack that lasted several hours, many of which were intercepted by Israeli air defense systems.