After terror attack

Iran plans imminent missile attack on Israel

"Iron Dome" destroys missiles fired from southern Lebanon at northern Israel (archive image).

(Bild: www.viennareport.at)

According to the Israeli army, Iran has fired rockets at Israel. Prior to the Iranian missile attack, at least four people were killed in a shooting attack in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv on Tuesday, according to police. The Israeli army has now given the all-clear for the time being.

Two "terrorists" have been "neutralized" in Tel Aviv, the police announced. In addition to four dead civilians, there were also seven injured. Several people were unconscious, according to a separate statement. 

This was followed by the violent attack. Numerous videos from Israel showed dozens of rockets flying over towns and cities in the country. Several explosions could also be heard, although it was often unclear whether the rockets were intercepted in mid-air or hit the ground. Air alarms sounded throughout the country. Reporters lay flat on their stomachs as they continued to report on state television. In the evening, the army declared that there was no longer any danger from Iran "at the moment". People could leave the shelters again.

Shortly beforehand, the army had called on people in Israel to prepare for a "large-scale" Iranian attack and to stay close to shelters. A dpa correspondent reported that strong explosions could be heard in Tel Aviv.

Iranian state media also reported on the attack on the arch-enemy. According to Reuters witnesses, Iranian missiles fired in the direction of Jerusalem were intercepted over Jordanian airspace.

Biden orders US army to shoot down Iranian missiles
In view of the missile attacks from Iran on Israel, US President Joe Biden has ordered his country's army to come to Israel's aid and shoot down Iranian missiles. This was announced by the White House in Washington on Tuesday. According to a high-ranking representative of Iran, the country's leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, gave the order for the missile strike. He said that Iran was ready for any retaliatory strike. Khamenei was kept in a safe place after the attack.

Test of an Iranian "Kheibar Shekan" missile in May 2023

(Bild: APA/AFP/IRANIAN DEFENCE MINISTRY)

Nehammer condemns attack
Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) has already commented on the attack on X. He shared a video recorded from the roof of the Austrian Hospice in Jerusalem showing the attack. Iran should immediately cease its hostile actions against the state of Israel, he demanded.

AUA cancels flights
Due to the current situation, AUA is flying around Iranian, Iraqi and Jordanian airspace up to and including October 2. This means that the Austrian Airlines flight to and from Erbil on Wednesday has to be canceled. Affected passengers can rebook to a later travel date free of charge or alternatively receive a full refund of the ticket price. Connections to and from Tel Aviv are suspended up to and including October 31. There will be no flights to Tehran up to and including October 14, Austrian Airlines informed APA.

Second front against Israel
Immediately after the attack on Israel by the radical Islamic group Hamas on October 7 last year, Hezbollah opened a second front against Israel with regular rocket attacks from Lebanon. In April, Iran fired more than 300 missiles and drones directly at Israel from its territory for the first time. Several allies helped Israel to repel the attack at the time.