Iran has launched a significant missile strike on Israel, marking a sharp escalation in regional hostilities. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that the attack was in direct retaliation for Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and Lebanon, as well as the assassinations of key Iranian, Hezbollah, and Hamas leaders. The unprecedented missile barrage struck military bases in Tel Aviv and other parts of central and southern Israel, intensifying fears of a broader conflict.
The attack, which took place on Tuesday evening, triggered air raid sirens across major Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv. The IRGC claimed responsibility for launching nearly 200 projectiles, including Iran’s latest Fatah hypersonic ballistic missiles, targeting what it described as “vital military and security installations” in Israel. This marks the first confirmed use of these advanced missiles by Iran in active combat.
Israeli and US Response
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed the scale of the missile attack, stating that their air defence systems, including the Iron Dome, successfully intercepted most of the missiles. The IDF reported only minor damage to military infrastructure, with no critical equipment, such as aircraft or drones, being affected. Two Israeli civilians were treated for shrapnel wounds in the Tel Aviv area, but no fatalities were reported.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan revealed that US naval destroyers in the region had assisted Israeli forces in intercepting the missiles. This joint operation underlines the close military cooperation between the two allies amid the ongoing crisis. President Joe Biden reiterated his administration’s “ironclad” support for Israel, condemning the Iranian assault and pledging further military and diplomatic backing.
Motivation for the Attack
The IRGC stated that the missile barrage was a direct response to Israel’s recent targeted killings of key figures in the region, including Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah and IRGC commander Abbas Nilforoushan. It also cited the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in July as part of the motivation behind the attack.
In a statement, the IRGC said the missiles had specifically targeted three military bases in the Tel Aviv area. It claimed that 90% of the projectiles had successfully struck their intended targets, though Israeli sources dispute this, citing the successful interception of most missiles by their defence systems.
The attack follows weeks of rising tensions in the Middle East, particularly since the onset of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which have led to the deaths of over 41,000 Palestinians since October 2023. Iran has consistently warned that it would not stand idly by while Israel continued its military actions in Gaza and Lebanon.
Broader Regional Conflict
The missile attack by Iran comes amidst a rapidly deteriorating situation across the region. Since the beginning of the Gaza conflict, Hezbollah has intermittently launched rockets into northern Israel, positioning itself as a defender of the Palestinian cause. Israel has responded with airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon and even in the capital, Beirut. This back-and-forth has displaced tens of thousands of civilians in both Lebanon and Israel, fuelling concerns that the situation may spiral into a full-scale regional war.
Over the past week, Israeli forces have escalated their military campaign in Lebanon, with targeted strikes that have significantly weakened Hezbollah’s command structure. Among those killed were senior members of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan unit, which is believed to have been instrumental in Hezbollah’s planned operations against Israel.
International Reaction and Calls for Restraint
World leaders have responded to the Iranian missile attack with alarm, urging restraint from all parties. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a stern warning to Tehran, stating that Iran had “made a grave error” and would “pay dearly for it.” He further hinted at the possibility of severe retaliatory action by the Israeli military.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian defended the missile strike as a “decisive response” to Israeli provocations, particularly the assassination of key figures in the IRGC and Hezbollah. He stressed that while Iran does not seek a war, it will not hesitate to act in self-defence if further threatened by Israel. Pezeshkian’s strategic adviser, Mohammad Javad Zarif, echoed these sentiments, calling the attack a justified response to Israel’s repeated assaults on Iranian personnel and interests.
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the widening conflict, calling for an immediate ceasefire and urging both Israel and Iran to step back from the brink of a regional war. “This escalation must stop,” Guterres said in a statement. “The region cannot afford further conflict, and it is imperative that all parties return to dialogue.”
Meanwhile, Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock criticised Iran’s actions, describing the missile attack as a dangerous escalation that risked “plunging the region further into chaos.” Similarly, other European leaders have expressed concerns about the growing instability in the Middle East and its potential to spark wider international involvement.
What’s Next?
Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari indicated that Israel would retaliate, though he stressed that the timing and nature of the response would be determined in consultation with international allies, particularly the United States. US officials, including Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, have warned Iran of “severe consequences” if it continues its aggressive actions.
Iran, however, has issued its own warning, threatening further missile strikes if Israel retaliates. Experts fear that the region is on the verge of a wider war, with both Israel and Iran prepared for further military escalation. Political analysts have noted that while Iran has traditionally sought to avoid direct confrontation with Israel, this latest attack signals a shift in strategy, one that could have far-reaching consequences for the entire Middle East.
With thousands of civilians displaced and both countries bracing for further attacks, the situation remains perilous. The international community is watching closely, but with no clear diplomatic resolution in sight, the Middle East faces an uncertain and increasingly volatile future.
