Screenshot, X (@SuppressedNws), Cropped by Resist the Mainstream

The Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, spoke out and addressed his country after Iran initiated a significant military operation against Israel, deploying dozens of drones in an aggressive attack.

“The malicious regime itself, which is all malice, evil, and error added another mistake to its own errors by attacking the Iranian consulate in Syria… The malicious Zionist regime will be punished,” Khamenei said.

These attacks were reported by several news outlets citing recent developments in the ongoing conflict.

Responding to the threat, Israel Defense Forces Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari has implemented immediate restrictions on civilian activities across the region.

The Times of Israel outlines these measures, detailing that educational activities are prohibited and public gatherings exceeding 1,000 individuals are banned.

Additional strict restrictions are in effect in areas close to Gaza to enhance civilian safety and security.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly addressed the nation regarding this critical situation.

“Citizens of Israel, in recent years, and even more so in recent weeks, Israel has been preparing for the possibility of a direct attack from Iran,” Netanyahu said, as reported by the New York Post. “Our defense systems are deployed, and we are prepared for any scenario, both in defense and offense. The State of Israel is strong, the IDF is strong, the public is strong.”

This address aims to reassure the Israeli public of the government's readiness to both defend and retaliate as necessary against Iranian aggressions.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden has returned to the White House after his weekend away as the situation continues to develop. Further updates are expected as the scenario unfolds.

“During the call, I reiterated the United States' ironclad commitment to the security of Israel,” National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated after speaking with his Israeli counterpart, Tzachi Hanegbi, to discuss the situation, per Axios.

Iran has issued threats of retaliation against Israel for the assassination of Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi, an IRGC officer. This act of vengeance is promised as a response to what Iran perceives as Israeli aggression. In light of these threats, the Israeli security cabinet convened on Saturday night to deliberate over their preparedness against any possible Iranian offensive actions.

Amidst these developments, the IRGC announced that it seized a commercial ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz, escalating the situation further. The ship, identified as MSC AIRES, is linked to Israeli and British ownership but was under a Portuguese flag during its capture.

The crew consists of various international nationals, including Indian, Filipino, Pakistani, Russian, and Estonian.

“Seizing a civilian vessel without provocation is a blatant violation of international law, and an act of piracy by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. It must be condemned unequivocally and we will work with our partners to hold Iran to account for its actions,” said Adrianne Watson, a spokeswoman for the National Security Council.