far east cruise 63

• Cover Letters
• Jobs I've Applied To
• Saved Searches
• Subscriptions

Marine Corps

Coast guard.

• Space Force
• Military Podcasts
• Benefits Home
• Military Pay and Money
• Veteran Health Care
• VA eBenefits
• Veteran Job Search
• Military Skills Translator
• Upload Your Resume
• Veteran Employment Project
• Vet Friendly Employers
• Career Advice
• Military Life Home
• Military Trivia Game
• Veterans Day
• Spouse & Family
• Military History
• Discounts Home
• Featured Discounts
• Veterans Day Restaurant Discounts
• Electronics
• Join the Military Home
• Contact a Recruiter
• Military Fitness

Did Maverick’s ‘Top Gun’ Jacket Change to Please the Chinese Government?

The sequel to "Top Gun," a film that boosted US Navy aviation recruitment by 500%, appears to have bowed to China's powerful Communist party by changing the jacket of its titular character, Maverick, played by Tom Cruise.

In the trailer for "Top Gun: Maverick," which came out on Thursday, Tom Cruise's character can be seen wearing his signature leather jacket, but something isn't the same anymore.

An eagle-eyed Twitter user pointed out that Maverick, whose entire character and name suggest a fierce independence, now wears a jacket that appears changed to appease China, the US's current chief military adversary.

Maverick's old jacket had a large patch that read "Far East Cruise 63-4, USS Galveston," commemorating a real-life US battleship's tour of Japan, Taiwan, and the Western Pacific. Fittingly, the patch displayed the US, UN, Japanese, and Taiwanese flags.

In the new movie, the patch now has the US and UN flags, but not the Japanese or Taiwanese flags, and makes no mention of the Galveston.

Now Maverick's patch has flags that look conspicuously like the Japanese and Taiwanese flags, but Business Insider could not identify them.

Business Insider reached out to Paramount Pictures for comment on the alteration and will update this story with any comments

China frequently boycotts and retaliates against any organization that recognizes Taiwan or refers to it as a country. China threatened multiple airlines not to refer to Taiwan as a country, and they all buckled under the pressure. The US responded, calling it " Orwellian nonsense. "

Japan occupied China during World War II and the countries still have bad blood from the brutal fighting seven decades ago. China frequently funds propaganda films featuring Chinese protagonists killing Japanese occupiers.

While the US has left the question of Taiwan's independence open-ended, a recent defense paper referred to Taiwan as a country , prompting an angry response from Beijing.

The new film, a big-budget major-studio effort on a hot property, may have sought to maximize revenues by making the movie palatable to Chinese censors and audiences.

China heavily censors foreign films and television and is increasingly catered to by filmmakers as it's set to displace the US as the top consumer of film.

More From Business Insider:

• 8 famous people who served on D-Day
• 5 big surprises the Germans got on D-Day
• Famous celebrities and athletes who served on D-Day
• 3 unsung World War II female spies who helped make D-Day a victory
• 75th anniversary of D-Day invasion of Europe in World War II

You May Also Like

When Pincus Mansfield settled down after the war, got married and had children, he never talked about his experiences and...

Most U.S. military veterans are uncomfortable with civilians calling them "heroes," but there are a few who should definitely...

Over the past few years, films and TV shows based on interactive entertainment have steadily gained traction.

Donations to the nonprofit event will cover the cost of the "Placid Lassie" C-47 Skytrain, equipment for the jump and...

Military News

• Investigations and Features
• Military Opinion

Select Service

• National Guard

Most Popular Military News

A pair of laser weapons has been deployed by the Army to an undisclosed location overseas to blast incoming enemy drones out...

Lt. Col. Eric Ackles, commander of 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, was relieved of command, the service...

Specialist Sanda G. Frimpong, who was serving on active duty until his arrest in 2023, was ordered to pay back over $350,000...

The Supreme Court has scheduled a special session to hear arguments over whether former President Donald Trump can be...

Col. Ben Jonsson's nomination to become a one-star general was set to expire May 1 under a law that says military officer...

Latest Benefits Info

• 4 Tips for Flying Space-A
• The Mental Burden of Using Military Benefits
• Fertility Benefits for Active-Duty Service Members
• Military Child Care Fees
• Military Tuition Assistance (TA) Overview

More Military Headlines

Under the new regulation, the VA plans to remove a bar against benefits for those dismissed for homosexual acts, as well as...

The documents say the Naval Criminal Investigative Service became aware of the videos, some of which contained names and...

The plan to bring back warrant officers for cyber jobs is one of many changes announced in February modifying training, and...

U.S. and Nigerien officials were expected to meet in Niger's capital, Niamey, “to initiate discussions on an orderly and...

The VH-92 Patriot is landing only on paved runways for now, flying missions with White House officials or Secret Service...

• Army Reservist Who Warned About Maine Killer Before Shootings to Testify Before Investigators
• The Army Has Officially Deployed Laser Weapons Overseas to Combat Enemy Drones
• Fired After 6 Months: Army Sacks Commander of Germany Unit Meant to Bolster NATO Against Russia
• Air Force Starts Taking Applications for Newly Reintroduced Warrant Officer Jobs
• 'I Will Tell No War Stories': A Writer Uncovers His Father's Hidden World War II History
• Nomination of Air Force Officer at Center of GOP's Fight Against 'Woke' Military Extended to 2025
• Navy Investigating More Than 100 'Secretly Shot' Sexual Videos of US Troops Uploaded to Adult Website
• Navy Authorizes Combat Awards for Sailors in the Red Sea Following Months of Attacks by Houthi Rebels
• When Sailors Deploy on USS George Washington, They Will Have a 'Good Vibe' Recreation and Gaming Center

Military Benefits Updates

• Biden’s New Chopper Is Demoted After Scorching White House Lawn
• Marine Killed During Operation at Camp Pendleton, Marking Second Training Death for Service in a Week
• Parachute Mishap Cited as Cause of Death for Camp Lejeune Marine Who Was Training in North Carolina
• Chaplain of the Coast Guard Fired for 'Loss of Confidence' After Not Acting on Case of Sexual Misconduct
• New Coast Guard Unit Commissioned at Fort Drum
• Several Dozen Ships Lost Propulsion in Maryland Waters Before Key Bridge Collapse: 'You're Basically Just Drifting'

Entertainment

• The 9 Biggest Military Dirtbags in Movies and Television
• What the ‘Fallout’ Show Gets Right About the Post-Apocalyptic Video Game Series

‘Top Gun: Maverick’ apparently changed Tom Cruise’s jacket to please China’s Communist party

The sequel to Top Gun, a film that once boosted U.S. Navy aviation recruitment by 500%, appears to have bowed to China's powerful Communist party by changing the jacket of its titular character, Maverick, played by Tom Cruise

By Alex Lockie, Business Insider | Published Jul 24, 2019 8:45 AM EDT

The sequel to Top Gun , a film that once boosted U.S. Navy aviation recruitment by 500%, appears to have bowed to China's powerful Communist party by changing the jacket of its titular character, Maverick, played by Tom Cruise.

In the trailer for Top Gun: Maverick , which came out on Thursday, Tom Cruise's character can be seen wearing his signature leather jacket, but something isn't the same anymore.

An eagle-eyed Twitter user pointed out that Maverick, whose entire character and name suggest a fierce independence, now wears a jacket that appears changed to appease China, the U.S.'s current chief military adversary.

There’s a new Top Gun movie coming out. And Maverick is wearing the same leather jacket – only this time it’s Communist Party of China-approved, so the Japanese and Taiwanese flag patches are gone (screenshot on right is from the new trailer)… pic.twitter.com/gUxFNFNUKX — Mark MacKinnon (@markmackinnon) July 19, 2019

Maverick's old jacket had a large patch that read “Far East Cruise 63-4, USS Galveston,” commemorating a real-life U.S. battleship's tour of Japan, Taiwan, and the Western Pacific. Fittingly, the patch displayed the U.S., UN, Japanese, and Taiwanese flags.

In the new movie, the patch now has the U.S. and UN flags, but not the Japanese or Taiwanese flags, and makes no mention of the Galveston.

Now Maverick's patch has flags that look conspicuously like the Japanese and Taiwanese flags, but Business Insider could not identify them.

Business Insider reached out to Paramount Pictures for comment on the alteration and will update this story with any comments.

China frequently boycotts and retaliates against any organization that recognizes Taiwan or refers to it as a country. China threatened multiple airlines not to refer to Taiwan as a country, and they all buckled under the pressure. The U.S. responded, calling it “ Orwellian nonsense. “

Japan occupied China during World War II and the countries still have bad blood from the brutal fighting seven decades ago. China frequently funds propaganda films featuring Chinese protagonists killing Japanese occupiers.

While the U.S. has left the question of Taiwan's independence open-ended, a recent defense paper referred to Taiwan as a country , prompting an angry response from Beijing.

The new film, a big-budget major-studio effort on a hot property, may have sought to maximize revenues by making the movie palatable to Chinese censors and audiences.

China heavily censors foreign films and television and is increasingly catered to by filmmakers as it's set to displace the U.S. as the top consumer of film.

Read more from Business Insider:

• Chinese companies are racing to build the best stealth fighters for China's next-generation aircraft carriers
• China's defense industry is exploding onto the scene as its top arms makers push past Western powerhouses
• Close analysis of Kim Jong Un's new nuclear missile submarine reveals it's bound for a suicide mission
• An internal investigation exposed cocaine use and lax testing within Navy SEAL Team 10
• 4 almost invisible threats that the U.S.'s highest ranking military-intelligence officer says keep him up at night

Subscribe to Task & Purpose Today

Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily.

• Entertainment
• Celebrities
• Ticket Sales
• Promoted: What to Watch on Prime Video

Recommended

Live updates, fans are flipping out over tom cruise’s jacket in new ‘top gun’ trailer.

• View Author Archive
• Email the Author
• Follow on Twitter
• Get author RSS feed

Contact The Author

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

Share this article:

Top Gun: Maverick Removes Japanese and Taiwanese Flags from Tom Cruise’s Jacket

• Share on Gab
• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Flipboard
• Share on Reddit
• Share on News Break
• Share via Email

The latest trailer for Tom Cruise’s upcoming Top Gun: Maverick film revealed that two patches from Cruise’s iconic bomber jacket have been removed.

The two patches which featured both the Japanese and Taiwanese flags no longer appear on Maverick’s bomber jacket. Not only were the patches with the Japanese and Taiwanese flags removed, but the main patch in the middle of the jacket was also altered.

In the original film, the main patch read “Far East Cruise 63-4, USS Galveston.” As Military.com points out this patch commemorated “a real-life US battleship’s tour of Japan, Taiwan, and the Western Pacific.

Now the patch reads Indian Ocean Cruise 85-86.

It’s unclear why the patches have been removed from Maverick’s jacket in the latest trailer.

Fan speculation points to the fact that the film is attempting to appease Communist controlled China. Chinese technology giant Tencent and its subsidiary Tencent Pictures partnered with Paramount Pictures for the film as “an investor and co-marketer.”

There’s a new Top Gun movie coming out. And Maverick is wearing the same leather jacket – only this time it’s Communist Party of China-approved, so the Japanese and Taiwanese flag patches are gone (screenshot on right is from the new trailer)… pic.twitter.com/gUxFNFNUKX — Mark MacKinnon (@markmackinnon) July 19, 2019

So apparently Paramount has gave in to the Chinese authorities. In the upcoming Top Gun film Maverick’s leather jacket has been altered. The original version of the jacket, Maverick had a Japanese and Taiwan patch on the back of the jacket. It appears the patch has been replaced. pic.twitter.com/5So7wV0OS0 — Horror Town USA (@horrortownusa) July 23, 2019

However, a few astute fans of the original film note that the Indian Ocean Cruise patch could be in reference to Maverick’s tour in the original Top Gun film.

It’s not hard to imagine the Chinese gov’t wanting to scrub things like Japanese and Taiwanese flags. If so, the filmmakers may have engineered a crafty solution. The Maverick Patch 2.0 reads “INDIAN OCEAN CRUISE 85-86”–that’s the final scene of the 1986 Top Gun film. 3/ pic.twitter.com/8XAhQvc6gP — Bryan S. Myrick (@BryanMyrick) July 20, 2019

While you are certainly correct about China’s push to change the narrative, I don’t think that’s the case in this instance with Top Gun. The patch in the original Top Gun is Maverick’s father’s patch. The patch in the new movie is a from Maverick’s cruise in the first movie. — Audentes Fortuna Iuvat (@gumbeaux37) July 20, 2019

In fact, the original Top Gun film opens up with Maverick’s aircraft carrier the USS Enterprise patrolling the waters in the Indian Ocean.

Maverick returns to that ship in the final battle of the film.

What do you make of Maverick’s patches being changed for Top Gun: Maverick? Are you looking forward to Top Gun: Maverick?

More About: Movies

★ 5 Commission Slots Are Now Open! ★ ★ NEW!! Exclusive Cyberpunk Samurai Now Available! ★

Glide, fire & skydive like a Maverick with this amazing-looking TOM CRUISE TOP GUN JACKET, which is in a Leather Bomber Outwear style. It is an iconic timeless to wear, brought from reel to real life for you. Crafted for all lovers of military-style outfits, it is a perfect wearable for your everyday use and can be worn during any of your casual weekend outings, or even to parties without making you worry about your looks. Stylish, distinctive, and irresistible, heavy-duty clothing is essential for all movie fans. So, if you’re looking for a style that will turn heads around and make you get noticed, this Top Gun Bomber Jacket is the way to go!

Steal the look of your favorite actor with his sturdy outfit. A notable Leather Flight Bomber top layer for you to wear, this Top Gun Maverick Jacket, can be a perfect addition to your fine collection. It is crafted from a genuine or vegan hide, giving it a rich and supple feel. The features comprise a shirt-style shearling collar and a front zipper closure, making this clothing easy to slip on and off. Its sleek look and embroidered patches give this outwear a signature look. Moreover, the exterior and interior pockets add functionality to it. A soft inner lining of viscose inside envelops your body perfectly, keeping this Top Gun Leather Jacket warm and comfortable for you all day.

Ready to give you a screen-accurate look, our Top Gun Maverick Jacket comes with screen-accurate 17 emblems on the front, sleeves, and back.

 LT. P. Mitchell –

Cvw-2 top ten –, uss william h. standley –, texas, dallas –, 3rd marine usmc amphibious force –, uss oriskany –, far east cruise 63-4 uss galveston –, us 7th fleet –, comcrudesflot 9 “on the move” –, s. naval air station jacksonville –, cvw-19vf-194 cruise patch –, 3rd marine air wing –.

• Handcrafted
• Real Sheepskin Leather or 100% Vegan Leather
• 17 Patch on front and back
• Rib Knitted Cuffs and Waistline
• Zipper Closure
• Two Exterior Pockets
• Two Interior Pockets
• Soft Lining

The high quality raw materials and the craftsmanship in creating unique hand made products is our guarantee for the all Luca Designs’ products in the official online store. Each jacket is deemed a collectable and may have unique coloring and weathering effects, making the wearer unique.

A Luca Designs Badge of Wings  is applied to all Authentic Luca Designs merchandise. 

Mens Maverick Bomber Leather Top Gun Jacket

Limited edition, us $ 199.99, or buy now and pay later with.

With 17 emblems and handcrafted in premium real or vegan leather, this bomber-style Tom Cruise Top Gun Jacket will effortlessly become your favorite military-style outerwear. Taking inspiration from the iconic look of the actor, this amazing outwear is a must-have for fans and fashionistas alike. The 17 military insignia set it apart from the rest, while the sleek Leather offers a luxurious Bomber Jacket experience in Brown Color.

Vegan Leather

Real Leather

Relaxed Fit

Each jacket is an original and unique work of art

Luca designs jackets are made from the highest quality real and vegan leathers for the ultimate choice in personal expression. it may vary from the one pictured. we try to minimize the variants, you may also like.

Mens Goku Anime Orange Bomber Jacket

Mens Orange Armored Moto Leather Jacket

Ryan Gosling Scorpion Drive Jacket

Mens Skywalker Rebel Fighter Pilot X Wing Burnt Orange Leather Jacket

It may vary from the one pictured. we try to minimize the variants, customer care, corporate info, luca designs, (310) 929-5055.

Want To Be A Retailer?

Copyright © 2024 luca designs.

Custom Sizing

If standard sizes don’t fit you, try custom sizing to have a jacket tailored to your proportions. we tailor within 1 inch tolerance to your measurements. after checkout, we’ll send you a guide on how to submit photos of your measurements for us to build your custom fit. *if you usually fit standard sizes xs-4xl, please order from our available sizes as the fit will be consistent with your needs. **please note that custom orders may take 4-6 weeks or longer to ship and are non-returnable. consider it a great investment..

Standard Size Chart

We are a euro fitted brand.

FOR NORTH AMERICA BUYERS:  We recommend going ONE SIZE UP from your usual fitted shirt size unless you want the product fitted to the body. If you are petite framed, you may not need to size up unless you want it relaxed.

RELAXED OR FITTED: On a product page “Relaxed, or Fitted” icon is shown, meaning the jacket style will fit relaxed/form fitted around the body.

REAL LEATHER: Real leather will relax up to a couple inches around the body with some wear. Over time it will mold to you, giving you a new second skin

CUSTOM TAILORING: www.lucajackets.com/pages/custom-sizing

Customers may experience a 0.5 to 1 inch tolerance in sizes compared to the size chart. It’s mainly due to how customers measure jackets, hand made nature and material stretchiness.

Go with the closest fit based on your measurements and consider if you want a snug or relaxed fit or if you wear layered clothing. Sizes below are body measurements NOT exact jacket measurements. We will add appropriate room in the jacket according to each style and fit.

Size chart is a close indication of what most jackets are for Luca Designs and may vary slightly based on each style offered.

Luca Designs is not responsible for determining your best fit and may only make recommendations based on common reports and or feedback.

Real Leather Vs. Vegan Leather

Real leather stretches and breathes, ★ designer quality real leather ★ naturally breathes ★ naturally insulates ★ enduring style ★ molds to your body over time ★ long term sustainable quality ★ real leather can relax up to 1.5 inches ★ fire and ice tested against the harshest elements ★ not recommended for heavy rain usage, vegan leather - the affordable alternative, ★ designer quality faux leather ★ non-peeling / long lasting japanese quality ★ animal friendly ★ 100% vegan leather ★ social sustainability ★ scratch resistant ★ color won't bleed but not recommended for heavy rain usage, submit a photo.

• Arts, Crafts & Sewing
• Trim & Embellishments

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

TopGun Far East Cruise 63-4, USS Galveston – Plastic Backing,6" x 7 3/4"

Purchase options and add-ons, about this item.

• US Veteran Owned Small Business
• High Quality

Buy it with

More items you may like for your home

Product Description

7 3/4″” TopGun Far East USS Galveston Patch for the perfect leather flight jacket!

Maverick’s first jacket sported a large patch that read “Far East Cruise 63-4, USS Galveston,” commemorating an actual US battleship’s tour of Japan, Taiwan and the Western Pacific.

• 6″ x 7 3/4″
• Embroidered Patch
• US Naval Aviator Owned Business

Looking for specific info?

Product information, warranty & support, customer reviews.

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

No customer reviews

• Amazon Newsletter
• About Amazon
• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Press Center
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Sell on Amazon
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect & Build Your Brand
• Become an Affiliate
• Become a Delivery Driver
• Start a Package Delivery Business
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Become an Amazon Hub Partner
• › See More Ways to Make Money
• Amazon Visa
• Amazon Store Card
• Amazon Secured Card
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Credit Card Marketplace
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices

• FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE
• TRACK YOU ORDER RETURN & EXCHANGE

• Search for:
• TRACK YOUR ORDER

No products in the cart.

Return to shop

WINTER COLLECTION

Men’s jacket collection.

WOMEN COLLECTION

Best seller, women’s jackets collection.

AMAZON PRIME TV SERIES

Netflix tv series, top tv series.

Marvel Comics

GAMING OUTFITS

Best selling outfits, best outfits.

Premium Fur Jackets

Premium Jackets

Top Gun G-1 Far East Cruise 63-4 Rust Bomber Sherpa Jacket

$ 289.00 $ 169.00

Best Seller

Specifications

• Material: Genuine Leather
• Inner: Viscose Lining
• Pockets: Two Side, Two Inner
• Sleeves: Full Length
• Hemline: Rib Knitted
• Design: G-1 Bomber Jacket
• Collar: Sherpa Fur Classic Style
• Cuffs: Rib Knitted
• Closure: YKK Zipper
• Color: Rust

24/7 SUPPORT

AVAILABLE ANYTIME

RETURN & EXCHANGE

FREE SHIPPING

SECURE TRANSACTION

QUALITY GUARANTEED

TRUSTED CUSTOMERS

• Description
• Reviews (0)
• Return & Refund

Order Process

Top gun g-1 ten naval aviator far east cruise 63-4 patches rust bomber sherpa leather jacket.

The fashion world is always revolutionized by Top Gun flicks. When the movie Top Gun was released in 1986, it happened. The same thing occurs in 2022 when its follow-up, Maverick, is released publicly. The attire, especially the jackets , has made everyone speechless. Maverick is preparing the Top Gun squad to attack the nuclear facilities of the USA and its allies in this novel with a compelling storyline. One of the most popular jackets from the Top Gun movie is the Top Gun G-1 Far East Cruise 63-4 Rust Bomber Jacket . 

G-1 Ten Far East Cruise 63-4 Jacket is a gorgeous jacket with top-notch features. It is made of real leather and has a viscose lining inside. It is closed with a chic YKK Zipper. Additionally, it boasts rib-knitted cuffs and a fitted waistline for the ideal shape. Due to its warmth and comfort, the Sherpa Fur Classic style collar gives it a real edge. The hue of the Top Gun Far East Cruise 63-4 G-1 Rust Bomber Jacket is navy blue. The jacket is available for purchase at William Jacket’s online store.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the material of the G-1 Far East Cruise 63-4 Bomber Jacket?

It has manufactured in genuine leather.

How many pockets are in the G-1 Far East Cruise 63-4 Bomber Jacket?

The jacket has two flap pockets outside and two pockets inside.

What is the color of this G-1 Bomber Jacket?

The jacket is available in Rust color.

What kind of jacket did Indiana Jones wear?

Indiana Jones’ jacket was modeled on the A-2 bomber jacket. With side pleats and no cuffs for a better range of motion.

What was Far East Cruise 63 4?

Maverick wore an outdated jacket with a huge patch reading “Far East Cruise 63-4, USS Galveston,” honoring a real-life US battleship’s tour of Japan, Taiwan, and the Western Pacific. The patch had the US, UN, Japanese, and Taiwanese flags, which was fitting.

There are no reviews yet.

Be the first to review “Top Gun G-1 Far East Cruise 63-4 Rust Bomber Sherpa Jacket” Cancel reply

Your review  *

Return & Refund

Men's Size Chart

How to measure.

We are pleased to inform that you find all standard sizes and more on our website. Our size chart provides a proper guideline to you for finding exact size. Our jackets are available in particular sizes having a comfortable fitting and give an appealing look.

We extremely recommend that choose a jacket that matches your body chest size. We have a range of sizes: XS to 3XL Chest Sizes Variations Available Are: 42″ inches to 56″ inches. Chest Size Ranges Available Are From: 36″ – 38″ inches to 50″ – 52″ Inches.

MEN'S JACKET SIZE CHART MEASUREMENT IN INCHES AND CENTIMETER

If your size does not match with above chart, please email us at: [email protected]

Women's Size Chart

We have a range of sizes: XS to 3XL. Bust Sizes Variations Available Are: 31" inches to 43" inches.

WOMEN'S JACKET SIZE CHART MEASUREMENT IN INCHES

Related products

Dunkirk Tom Hardy Farrier Jacket

Jake Gyllenhaal Nightcrawler Leather Jacket

Womens Brown Quilted Leather Jacket

Men A2 Style Brown Leather Bomber Jacket

Ghost In The Shell Batou Leather Jacket

James Bond Spectre Austria Jacket

• Men’s Leather Vest
• Men Aviator Jacket
• Plaid Jacket
• Field Jacket
• Trucker Jacket
• Sherpa Jackets
• Men Blazers
• Designer Jacket
• Bomber Jacket
• Varsity Jackets
• Men Parachute Jacket
• Men Shearling Jacket
• Cosplay Costume
• Trench Coat
• Leather Coats
• Motorcycle Jackets
• Premium Quality Leather
• Mens Black Leather Jacket
• Women Biker Jackets
• Women Black Leather Jacket
• Women Blazer
• Women Jackets
• Women Shearling Jackets
• Women’s Cotton Jacket
• Winter Collection
• Women Aviator Jacket
• Women Cape Coat
• Women Leather Jackets
• Womens Trench Coat
• Cropped Jacket
• Women Vest Collection
• Superhero Jackets
• The Boys Merchandise
• Hanna Jackets Collection
• The Wheel Of Time Outfits
• Reacher Tv Series Outfits
• The Walking Dead Merchandise
• The Wilds Jackets
• The Expanse
• The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Outfits
• Carnival Row
• This Is Us Outfits
• Good Girls Jackets
• Lucifer Celebrity Outfits
• Jupiters Legacy
• A Series Of Unfortunate Events Outfits
• Arrow Merchandise
• Stranger Things Jacket
• The Umbrella Academy Outfits
• Money Heist Outfits
• Peaky Blinders Outfits
• Yellowstone Outfits
• Ted Lasso TV Series
• Colony Outfits
• Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan Outfits
• Shadowhunters Outfits
• Fate The Winx Saga Jacket Collection
• The Flash Merchandise
• Shadow and Bone Outfits
• Riverdale Outfits
• Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Outfits
• Avengers Merchandise
• Black Panther Outfit
• Thor Love and Thunder Outerwear
• Doctor Strange Outfits
• Eternals Merchandise
• Captain America Merchandise
• Spiderman Outfits
• The Punisher Jackets
• Deadpool Outfits
• Black Widow Merchandise
• Suicide Squad Outfits
• Batman Merchandise
• Joker Jackets
• Justice League Outfits
• Birds of Prey Merchandise
• Black Adam Outfits
• Watchmen Outfits
• The Flash Jackets
• Wonder Woman Merchandise
• Superman Merchandise
• The Gentlemen Merchandise
• Jurassic World Outfits
• The Gray Man Outfits
• Uncharted Outfits
• The Protege Outfits
• The Many Saints Of Newark Outfits
• Bloodshot Outfits
• Bullet Train Merchandise
• Mission Impossible Merchandise
• Assassins Creed
• Resident Evil Outfits
• Cyberpunk 2077 Merchandise
• Dead Rising
• Life is Strange Outfits
• Red Dead Redemption
• Battlefield Outfits
• 8 Ball Jackets Collection
• Death Stranding Game Outfits
• Kingdom Hearts Outfits
• Fortnite Apparel
• Back 4 Blood Merchandise
• PUBG Merchandise
• Detroit Become Human Outfits
• Mafia Video Game Outfits
• Injustice 2 Outfits
• No More Heroes Outfits
• Mortal Kombat Outfits
• King of Fighters Outfits
• Devil May Cry Character Outfits Collection
• The Last of Us Part II Merchandise
• Final Fantasy
• Men Fur Jackets
• Women Fur Jackets
• Mink Fur Jackets and Coats
• Persian Lamb Fur Jackets and Coats
• Premium B-3 Fur Jacket and Coat
• Black Friday Deals
• Cyber Monday Deals
• Comic Con Sale
• Halloween Shop
• New Year Sales
• Christmas Jackets
• Fathers Day Sale
• Summer Sale Collection
• Valentines Day Sale
• Superhero Jackets Sale
• holiday gifts
• Independence Day Special
• Thanksgiving Deals
• Best Seller Collection
• Cardigan Sweater
• Fringe Jackets
• Satin Jackets
• Wool Jackets
• Bel-Air Outfits Merchandise
• Batwoman Outfits
• The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent Outfits
• John Wick Outfits
• The Afterparty TV Series Outfits
• G-Eazy Jackets and Coats Collection
• The Chi TV Show Outfits
• Happiest Season Outfits
• Heartstopper Outfits
• RETURN AND EXCHANGE

Username or email address  *

Password  *

Remember me Log in

Lost your password?

• Fairey Gannet AEW.3 Model
• S-2 Stoof Model
• Lockheed Martin S-3 Viking Model
• A-1 Skyraider Model
• A-2 (AJ) Savage Model
• Douglas A-3 Skywarrior Model
• A-4 Skyhawk Model
• A-6 Intruder Model
• Vought A-7 Corsair II Model
• AV-8B Model
• Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II/ Warthog Model
• Douglas A-26 Model
• Aermacchi MB-339 Model
• OV-10 Model
• Avro Lancaster Model
• Avro Vulcan Model
• Rockwell B-1 Lancer Model
• B-2 Spirit Model
• Lockheed Martin® (Consolidated) B-24® Liberator® Model
• B-21 Raider Bomber
• B-36 Peacemaker Model
• Convair B-58 Hustler Model
• Douglas B-66B Destroyer Model
• De Havilland DH.98 Mosquito Model
• SBD Dauntless Model
• Antonov AN-225 Model
• C-1 Trader Model
• Lockheed Martin C-5 Galaxy Models
• DHC-6 Twin Otter Model
• DASH 7 Model
• Dash 8 Model
• KC-10 Extender Model
• Beechcraft® C-12 Huron/Super King Air Model
• U-21F Beech 100
• VC-25 Model
• C-26 Metroliner Model
• UC-35 Citation Ultra Model
• CT-39 Saberliner Model
• Beech C-45 Expeditor/UC-45 Navigator, Model 18
• KC-46A Model
• Douglas C-47 Skytrain Model
• C-54 Skymaster Model
• C-117 Model
• Douglas C-118 Model
• Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar Model
• Lockheed® C-121 Constellation® Model
• Fairchild C-123 Provider Model
• C-124 Globemaster
• Lockheed Martin® C-130 Hercules® Model
• C-131 Model
• KC-135 Model
• VC-140B JetStar
• Lockheed® C-141 Starlifter Model
• HC-144 Ocean Sentry Model
• HU-25 Model
• HS-748 Hawker Siddeley Model
• B737-200 Model
• Beechcraft Baron 58
• Beechcraft® Bonanza G36
• Beechjet 400A
• Cessna® 150 Model
• Cessna® 172 Skyhawk Model
• Cessna® 182 Skylane Models
• Cessna® 185 Skywagon Model
• Cessna® 414 Model
• Cessna® 206 Stationair Model
• Cessna® Citation XLS
• Convair 880
• Embraer ERJ-135
• Ercoupe Model
• Hawker Siddeley Trident
• L-17 Navion
• Lockheed Martin® L-188 Electra
• Lockheed L-1011 Tristar
• Lockheed L-049 Constellation Model
• Lockheed L-1649 Starliner (Constellation) Model
• Piper Tri Pacer
• Piper Warrior
• RJ-700 Model
• RV-14A Model
• Super Blanik L-23 Glider
• Super Decathlon Model
• E-1b Tracer Model
• EA-6b Prowler Model
• EA-6b Model
• EA-18 Model
• Bell® AH-1 Cobra Model
• Bell®UH-1 Huey Model
• HRP-1 Rescuer
• HM2 Merlin Model
• Sikorsky® SH-3 Sea King® Model
• HO3S-1 Dragonfly
• OH-6 Cayuse
• Bell® OH-58 Kiowa Model
• Bell®H-13 Sioux Model
• CH-19/HRS Chickasaw
• MV-22 Model
• Sikorsky H-34 Seahorse Choctaw Model
• CH-46 Model
• CH-47 Model
• Sikorsky HH-52 Seaguard Model
• Sikorsky® CH-53/MH-53/HH-53 Sea Stallion, Super Stallion, Pave Low Model
• Bell® TH-57 Jet Ranger Model
• Sikorsky® SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk Models
• AH-64 Model
• Albatros D.III
• Bristol Bulldog
• de Havilland Mosquito
• de Havilland Sea Vixen
• McDonnell F3H Demon
• F4F Wildcat
• Vought F4U Corsair
• F6F-5 Hellcat
• F-9/F9F Cougar Model
• F9F Panther Model
• Lockheed Martin® F-16 Fighting® Falcon Model
• F/A-18 Model
• Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor Model
• Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Model
• F-100 Model
• F-101 Voodoo Model
• Republic F-105 Thunderchief Model
• Convair F-106 Delta Dart Model
• F-111 Model
• Lockheed Martin F-117 Nighthawk Model
• Gloster Javelin
• Hawker Hunter
• Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25
• MiG 29 (Mikoyan-Gurevich / Mikoyan) Model
• Nieuport 17
• Lockheed Martin® P-38 Lightning® Model
• Republic P-47 Thunderbolt Model
• Panavia Tornado
• Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5
• Sopwith Pup
• SPAD S.XIII
• SU-27 Sukhoi
• SU-30 Sukhoi
• SU-34 Sukhoi
• SU-35 Flanker Sukhoi
• J-10 Chengdu
• J-11 Shenyang
• J-16 Shenyang
• J-20 Chengdu
• OV-1 Mohawk Model
• OV-10 Bronco Model
• Cessna L-19 Birddog Model
• L-5 Sentinel Model
• G-44 Widgeon
• HU-16 Albatross Model
• PBY Catalina
• PB2Y Coronado
• PB4Y-2 Privateer
• PBM-3 Mariner
• Lockheed P-2 Neptune Model
• Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion Model
• Martin P4M Mercator
• Martin P5M Marlin Model
• Martin P6M SeaMaster Model
• Short S.25 Sunderland
• Supermarine S.6
• Lockheed Martin® U-2 Dragon Lady® Model
• RA-5C Model
• Lockheed Martin® SR-71 Blackbird® Model
• Space Vehicles
• Grumman TBF Avenger
• TBD Devastator Model
• AT-6G Texan
• BAE Hawk T1
• Curtiss JN-4 Model
• De Havilland DH60G
• T-1 Jayhawk Model
• T-2 Buckeye Model
• TS-2 Tracker
• TA-4 Skyhawk Model
• TC-4 Academe Model
• Beechcraft® T-6 Texan II Models
• T-7A Red Hawk
• Beechcraft® TC-12 Huron Model
• PT-17 Stearman
• T-28 Trojan Model
• Beechcraft® T-34 (Turbo)Mentor Model
• Cessna T-37 Tweet Models
• T-38 Talon Model
• Beechcraft® T-44 Pegasus Models
• TV-2 Shooting Star Model
• MQ-25 Model
• Bombs/Missiles
• Cleaning Supplies
• Propeller / Blades
• Uncategorized
• Aircraft Patches
• Bomber Patches
• Air Force Fighter Patches
• Cargo Patches
• Wing/Shield Patches
• Army Patches
• H&HS Patch
• HMH Patches
• HML Patches
• HMLA Patches
• HMM Patches
• MABS Patches
• MALS Patches
• MWSS Patches
• VMA Patches
• VMAQ Patches
• VMFA/VMF Patches
• VMM Patches
• VMO Patches
• VMR Patches
• VMSB Patches
• VMTB Patches
• Anti Sub Patches
• Electronic Patches
• Installations
• Fighter Plaques
• Navy Helo Patches
• Navy Fighter Patches
• Naval Academy Patches
• Patrol Patches
• Training Patches
• Submarine Patches
• Ammunition Ship
• Amphibious Ship Patches
• Battleship Patches
• Cruiser Patches
• Frigate Patches
• Parody/Misc Patches
• Space Patches
• Special Operations Forces (SOF)
• WWI Patches
• WWII Patches
• Vietnam War
• Anti-Submarine
• Deployment Plaques
• Fire and Police Badges
• Patrol Plaques
• Name Plates
• Rating Badges
• Reconnaissance
• University/Service Academy
• Ammunition Ships
• Amphibious Transport Dock Ship
• Assault Ship Model
• Aircraft Carriers
• Battleships
• Cruise Liners
• Akula Class Submarine Model
• Astute Class
• Balao-class
• Benjamin Franklin Class Submarine Models
• Ethan Allen Class Model
• Foxtrot Submarine Model
• George Washington Class Submarine Model
• James Madison-class
• Lafayette Class Model
• Los Angeles Class Submarine Models
• Narwhal Model
• Oberon Class Submarine Model
• Ohio Class Submarine Models
• Permit-class submarine
• Seawolf Class Submarine Models
• Skipjack Class Submarine
• Sturgeon Class Submarine Model
• Swiftsure Class Submarine Models
• Vanguard Class Submarine
• Virginia Class Submarine Model
• Yasen class
• Fighter Tail Flashes
• Patrol Tail Flashes
• Stainless Steel Travel Tumblers
• Luggage Tags and License Plates
• Flight Jackets/Gear/Costumes
• Military Tribute Display
• Toys and Such
• Contact Us: (804) 376-7461

You may also like…

Nas Miramar TopGun Patch – Plastic Backing/Sew On

• 4-inch patch
• Embroidered
• US Veteran Owned Business

LT Tom “Iceman” Kazansky TOPGUN VF-213 Patch – Plastic Backing

“You’re everyone’s problem. That’s because every time you go up in the air, you’re unsafe. I don’t like you because you’re dangerous.”

LT Tom “Iceman” Kazansky TOPGUN VF-213 Patch – Hook and Loop

Nas miramar topgun fightertown usa patch – with hook and loop, related products.

VP-94 Crawfishers Patch – Sew On, 4″

Enjoy this VP-94 Crawfishers Patch which is beautifully embroidered.  You’ll be able to wear this patch or display with pride.

Fleet Air Wing 11 Patch – Plastic Backing

Enjoy this Fleet Air Wing 11 Patch that is beautifully embroidered.  You’ll be able to display or wear it with pride.

VAH-123 Squadron Patch – Plastic Backing/Sew on, 4″

Enjoy this VAH-123 Professionals Squadron Patch that is beautifully embroidered.  You’ll be able to display or wear with pride.

VA-12 Flying Ubangis Squadron Patch –Plastic Backing

Enjoy this VA-12 Flying Ubangis Squadron Patch that is beautifully embroidered.  You’ll be able to display or wear with pride.

VA-106 Gladiators Squadron Patch – Sew On

Enjoy this VA-106 Gladiators Squadron Patch that is beautifully embroidered.  You’ll be able to display or wear with pride.

VA-105 Mad Dogs Squadron Patch – Sew on

Enjoy this VA-105 Mad Dogs Squadron Patch that is beautifully embroidered.  You’ll be able to display or wear with pride.

VA-26 Skylanchers Squadron Patch –Sew On

Enjoy this VA-26 Patch that is beautifully embroidered.  You’ll be able to display or wear with pride.

VAH-4 Four Runners Squadron Patch – Sew On, 4″

Enjoy this VAH-4 Four Runners Squadron Patch that is beautifully embroidered.  You’ll be able to display or wear with pride.

Advertisement

A Look at Iran’s Military Capabilities

The direct military confrontation between Iran and Israel has brought renewed attention to Iran’s armed forces. What are they capable of?

• Share full article

By Farnaz Fassihi

• Published April 12, 2024 Updated April 14, 2024

The start of a direct military confrontation between Iran and Israel has brought renewed attention to Iran’s armed forces. Early this month, Israel attacked a building in Iran’s diplomatic compound in the Syrian capital, Damascus, killing seven of Iran’s senior commanders and military personnel .

Iran vowed to retaliate, and did so about two weeks later, starting a broad aerial attack on Israel on Saturday involving hundreds of drones and missiles aimed at targets inside Israel and the territory it controls.

Here’s a look at Iran’s military and its capabilities.

Why is Iran’s military relevant right now?

Israeli officials had said they would respond to any attack by Iran with a counterattack, which could prompt further retaliation from Iran and possibly expand into a wider regional war. There is even a chance that a conflict of that sort could drag in the United States, although Washington has made clear it had nothing to do with the Damascus attack.

Analysts say that Iran’s adversaries, primarily the United States and Israel, have avoided direct military strikes on Iran for decades, not wishing to tangle with Tehran’s complex military apparatus. Instead, Israel and Iran have been engaged in a long shadow war via air, sea, land and cyberattacks, and Israel has covertly targeted military and nuclear facilities inside Iran and killed commanders and scientists.

“There is a reason Iran has not been struck,” said Afshon Ostovar, an associate professor of national security affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and an expert on Iran’s military. “It’s not that Iran’s adversaries fear Iran. It’s that they realize any war against Iran is a very serious war.”

What sort of military threat does Iran pose?

The Iranian armed forces are among the largest in the Middle East, with at least 580,000 active-duty personnel and about 200,000 trained reserve personnel divided among the traditional army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, according to an annual assessment last year by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

The army and the Guards each have separate and active ground, air and naval forces, with the Guards responsible for Iran’s border security. The General Staff of the Armed Forces coordinates the branches and sets the overall strategy.

The Guards also operate the Quds Force, an elite unit in charge of arming, training and supporting the network of proxy militias throughout the Middle East known as the “axis of resistance.” These militias include Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, militia groups in Syria and Iraq and Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza.

Power by Proxy: How Iran Shapes the Mideast

A guide to the armed groups that let Iran extend its influence throughout the region.

The commander in chief of Iran’s armed forces is the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the last word on all major decisions.

While the proxy militias are not counted as part of Iran’s armed forces, analysts say they are considered an allied regional force — battle ready, heavily armed and ideologically loyal — and could come to Iran’s aid if it was attacked.

“The level of support and types of systems Iran has provided for nonstate actors is really unprecedented in terms of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles,” said Fabian Hinz, an expert on Iran’s military at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Berlin. “They could be viewed as part of Iran’s military capability, especially Hezbollah, which has the closest strategic relationship with Iran.”

What kinds of weapons does Iran have?

For decades, Iran’s military strategy has been anchored in deterrence, emphasizing the development of precision and long-range missiles, drones and air defenses. It has built a large fleet of speedboats and some small submarines that are capable of disrupting shipping traffic and global energy supplies that pass through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has one of the largest arsenals of ballistic missiles and drones in the Middle East, Mr. Ostovar said. That includes cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles, as well as ballistic missiles with ranges up to 2,000 kilometers, or more than 1,200 miles. These have the capacity and range to hit any target in the Middle East, including Israel.

In recent years, Tehran has assembled a large inventory of drones with ranges of around 1,200 to 1,550 miles and capable of flying low to evade radar, according to experts and Iranian commanders who have given public interviews to the state news media. Iran has made no secret of the buildup, displaying its trove of drones and missiles during military parades, and has ambitions to build a large export business in drones. Iran’s drones are being used by Russia in Ukraine and have surfaced in the conflict in Sudan.

The country’s bases and storage facilities are widely dispersed, buried deep underground and fortified with air defenses, making them difficult to destroy with airstrikes, experts say.

Where does Iran get its weapons?

International sanctions have cut Iran off from high-tech weaponry and military equipment manufactured abroad, like tanks and fighter jets.

During Iran’s eight-year war with Iraq in the 1980s, few countries were willing to sell weapons to Iran. When Ayatollah Khamenei became Iran’s supreme leader in 1989, a year after the war ended, he commissioned the Guards to develop a domestic weapons industry and poured resources into the effort, which was widely reported in the Iranian news media. He wanted to assure that Iran would never again have to rely on foreign powers for its defense needs.

Today, Iran manufactures a large quantity of missiles and drones domestically and has prioritized that defense production, experts said. Its attempts to make armored vehicles and large naval vessels have met with mixed results. It also imports small submarines from North Korea while expanding and modernizing its domestically produced fleet .

How do other countries see Iran’s military, and what are its weaknesses?

Iran’s military is viewed as one of the strongest in the region in terms of equipment, cohesion, experience and quality of personnel, but it lags far behind the power and sophistication of the armed forces of the United States, Israel and some European countries, experts said.

Iran’s greatest weakness is its air force. Much of the country’s aircraft date from the era of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, who led Iran from 1941 to 1979, and many have been disabled for lack of spare parts. The country also bought a small fleet from Russia in the 1990s, experts said.

Iran’s tanks and armored vehicles are old, and the country has only a few large naval vessels, experts said. Two intelligence gathering vessels, t he Saviz and Behshad, deployed on the Red Sea, have aided the Houthis in identifying Israeli-owned ships for attacks, American officials have said.

Will Israel’s attack disrupt Iran’s military?

The assassinations of the senior military officials are expected to have a short-term impact on Iran’s regional operations, having eliminated commanders with years of experience and relationships with the heads of the allied militias.

Nevertheless, the chain of command for the armed forces inside Iran remains intact, experts say.

An earlier version of this article misstated the name of a group in the Gaza Strip. It is Palestinian Islamic Jihad, not Islamic Palestinian Jihad.

How we handle corrections

Farnaz Fassihi is the United Nations bureau chief for The Times, leading coverage of the organization, and also covers Iran and the shadow war between Iran and Israel. She is based in New York. More about Farnaz Fassihi

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Middle East crisis — explained

The conflict between Israel and Palestinians — and other groups in the Middle East — goes back decades. These stories provide context for current developments and the history that led up to them.

Israel shoots down missiles and drones after Iran launches unprecedented attack

Becky Sullivan

Israeli Iron Dome air defense systems launch to intercept missiles fired from Iran, in central Israel on Sunday. Tomer Neuberg/AP hide caption

Israeli Iron Dome air defense systems launch to intercept missiles fired from Iran, in central Israel on Sunday.

Booms and air raid sirens sounded across Israel and the occupied West Bank early Sunday morning, after Iran launched dozens of drones and missiles toward Israel, in an attack that marked a major escalation of conflict in the Middle East.

In Washington, President Joe Biden said U.S. forces had helped Israel down "nearly all" the drones and missiles, and pledged to convene allies to develop a unified response.

Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Iran fired more than 300 projectiles at Israel overnight, 99% of which were shot down, the "vast majority". Officials reported minor damage to a military base in southern Israel and one injury to a 10-year-old child, who was reported to be in critical condition.

"We will do everything we need, everything, to defend the state of Israel," Hagari said. He added that some of the launches came from Iraq and Yemen.

How Iran and Israel became archenemies

The Israeli War Cabinet planned to meet at lunchtime. In a statement Sunday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. does "not seek escalation" of the conflict.

G7 leaders are meeting on Sunday afternoon to coordinate on a diplomatic response to Iran's attack, and engage with officials across the Middle East. The United Nations Security Council is is also set to meet, after Israel requested the council condemn Iran's attack, and designate the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization.

Iran had vowed to retaliate after an airstrike on an Iranian consulate in Syria earlier this month killed seven Iranian military officials . It is the first time that Iran has launched an attack on Israel from Iranian soil, Israeli officials said.

U.S. forces in the region were active in shooting down drones, a U.S. defense official said. And interceptions by Israel's anti-missile defense system lit up the skies over populous areas including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

The Israeli emergency medical service Magen David Adom reported that a 10-year-old child had been struck in the head by shrapnel in the area of Arad, a town near the southwestern edge of the Dead Sea. Paramedics also treated about 20 people who suffered from anxiety or minor injuries experienced while seeking shelter, the service said.

Saturday's attack, which was first announced by Israeli officials around 4 p.m. ET, was staged in waves and took hours to reach Israel, officials said.

In a statement broadcast on Iranian state television, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps described the attack as a "large-scale military operation" against multiple targets inside Israel.

In a post on the social media site X, Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations wrote that the attack was a direct response to the strike on the consulate and that "the matter can be deemed concluded."

Iranian commandos seize an Israeli-linked container ship near Strait of Hormuz

Following Tehran's overnight drone and missile attack on Sunday, Iran warned Israel of a larger attack on its territory should it retaliate, adding that Washington has been warned not to back Israeli military action.

"Our response will be much larger than tonight's military action if Israel retaliates against Iran," armed forces chief of staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri told state TV, adding that Tehran warned Washington that any backing of Israeli retaliation would result in U.S. bases being targeted.

The U.S. military was directly involved in the response, a senior U.S. defense official said. "In accordance with our ironclad commitment to Israel's security, U.S. forces in the region continue to shoot down Iranian-launched drones targeting Israel. Our forces remain postured to provide additional defensive support and to protect U.S. forces operating in the region," the official said.

Israelis were urged to take shelter

This video grab from AFPTV taken on Sunday shows explosions lighting up Jerusalem's sky during an Iranian attack on Israel. AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

This video grab from AFPTV taken on Sunday shows explosions lighting up Jerusalem's sky during an Iranian attack on Israel.

Officials in Israel had explicitly urged residents of Nevatim, Dimona and Eilat — three cities in Israel's Negev desert region — and people in the northern occupied Golan Heights to take shelter. A major Israeli air base is located near Nevatim, and an Israeli nuclear research facility is located in Dimona.

Airspace over Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon was closed late Saturday, while some airlines announced the cancellation of some flights and the re-routing of others due to the attacks. Israel and Jordan reopened their airspace on Sunday morning.

Hezbollah, the Lebanon-based militant group, said that it had staged its own attack by launching dozens of rockets toward an Israeli military base in the Golan early Sunday.

In a Saturday night address to Israelis, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his country was ready for "any scenario, both defensively and offensively."

"We have determined a clear principle: Whoever harms us, we will harm them. We will defend ourselves against any threat and will do so level-headedly and with determination," Netanyahu said.

After striking throughout the Middle East, Iran's proxies now become the targets

President Biden monitored the attack from the Situation Room alongside top defense and diplomatic officials. In anticipation of the attack, he had cut short a trip to Delaware in order to return to the White House.

Afterward, he spoke with Netanyahu and said Israel had "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."

"At my direction, to support the defense of Israel, the U.S. military moved aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the region over the course of the past week" the president said. "Thanks to these deployments and the extraordinary skill of our servicemembers, we helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles."

Iran blames Israel for an earlier attack on its consulate

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks on March 1 in Tehran, Iran. Iran vowed to respond after an attack on an Iranian consulate in Syria. Majid Saeedi/Getty Images hide caption

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks on March 1 in Tehran, Iran. Iran vowed to respond after an attack on an Iranian consulate in Syria.

The attack on Israel comes four days after Iran's leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed retaliation for an April 1 strike on an Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital of Damascus. Iran said the strike killed seven members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, including two generals, and it blamed Israel for the attack. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied being behind the attack, though the Pentagon said Israel was responsible.

By Saturday, as anticipation had grown over a possible retaliation, Israeli officials warned residents living in communities near Gaza and the Lebanon border to limit the size of gatherings and to work indoors or within reach of a shelter. Schools across Israel were closed through Monday.

Iranian officials accuse Israel of a deadly attack on Iran's consulate in Syria

U.S. defense officials told NPR Saturday that the U.S. military had moved assets around the region in anticipation of an attack, including aircraft, and had shored up defensive positions for forces in the region. The top U.S. military commander in the Middle East, Gen. Michael Kurilla, arrived in Israel Thursday to coordinate with the Israeli military.

In a post on Telegram on Sunday, Hamas expressed support for Iran's attack, calling it a "natural right" and a deserved response to the Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria this month. The militant group called on Arab and Islamic nations to continue their backing in its fight against Israel, according to the Washington Post.

Also on Sunday, a statement by Israel's intelligence agency Mossad announced that Hamas had rejected the latest hostage deal outline, which would have led to a six week pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas. They blamed the lapse in negotiations directly on Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

The attack is a large escalation of hostilities in the region

The strike and retaliation represent an escalation of conflict in the region that many officials worldwide had expressed worry about ever since the outbreak of war between Israel and the Gaza-based militant group Hamas on Oct. 7, the day Hamas led an attack on Israel that left some 1,200 people dead.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Saturday that he condemned Iran's attack and was "deeply alarmed about the very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation."

Egypt's foreign affairs ministry called Iran's attack a "dangerous escalation" and in a Saturday night statement urged "the exercise of the utmost restraint to spare the region and its people further factors of instability and tension." Jordan's Prime Minister said on Sunday any escalation in the region would lead to "dangerous paths", while United Arab Emirates foreign ministry called for the exercise of the utmost restraint to avoid dangerous repercussions.

Iran has long supplied Hamas with funds and weapons . The White House has not directly linked Iran to the Oct. 7 attack.

In the six months since Oct. 7, Israel has bombarded Gaza and conducted a devastating ground invasion that has left much of the territory in ruins and more than 33,000 Palestinians dead, according to Palestinian health officials.

The last time Iran launched a similar attack was in 2020 , when it fired ballistic missiles at the Ain al-Asad Air Base in Iraq, wounding dozens of U.S. troops, in retaliation for the killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani by a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad.

Additional reporting by NPR's Daniel Estrin and NPR's Carrie Kahn in Tel Aviv, NPR's Tom Bowman in Washington, D.C., and NPR's Jane Arraf in Amman. Alon Avital and Itay Stern contributed reporting from Tel Aviv.