WASHINGTON —Iran has launched an aerial attack on Israel from Iranian territory, marking a major escalation in a long running conflict between the two rival regional powers.

Iranian state TV network IRINN reported at about midnight on Sunday that the Islamic republic's forces had launched dozens of attack drones from Iranian territory toward Israel. It said the attack was in retaliation for what Iranian officials say was an Israeli strike that killed several senior Iranian military commanders in Damascus on April 1.

The Israeli military, which has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the April 1 strike, issued a statement saying its air and naval forces were monitoring the Iranian drone attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised message that Israel will defend itself "against any threat and will do so level-headedly and with determination."

The Biden administration said the United States will "stand with the people of Israel and support their defense against these threats from Iran."

White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson issued a statement saying: "This attack is likely to unfold over a number of hours. President Biden has been clear: our support for Israel's security is ironclad."

Netanyahu acknowledged that support in his own statement, saying: "We appreciate the U.S. standing alongside Israel, as well as the support of Britain, France and many other countries."

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