On Tuesday evening, Iran launched a series of missile attacks on Israel, following an Israeli ground offensive against Hizbollah in southern Lebanon, signaling an escalation towards full-scale conflict in the region.
According to the Israeli military, approximately 180 missiles were fired from Iran into Israel starting at around 7:30 PM local time, prompting millions to seek safety in shelters. Air raid sirens were heard nationwide as interceptor missiles engaged the incoming projectiles from Iran.
Daniel Hagari, the Israeli military spokesperson, stated that the attack would have significant repercussions and hinted at future Israeli operations at a time and place of their choosing. Hagari acknowledged numerous successful interceptions, with a few missiles hitting central and southern areas of Israel. No casualties had been reported as of the statement.
Sources briefed on the incident indicated that the Iranian barrage targeted military and intelligence installations near Tel Aviv and other locations throughout the country. This attack represents a sharp increase in hostilities between Iran and Israel, with Israel recently intensifying its attacks on Iran’s proxies, notably Hizbollah in Lebanon.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for firing multiple ballistic missiles into Israeli airspace, citing retaliation for the assassinations of Hizbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and a senior Guards commander in Beirut the previous week. They also linked the assault to a suspected Israeli attack that killed Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July.
The Revolutionary Guards announced that the missile attacks were aimed at the core areas of the occupied territories and noted approval from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, chaired by President Masoud Pezeshkian. They warned that any Israeli counteract would lead to devastating responses targeting Israel, asserting that 90 percent of the missiles had reached their intended targets.
Iranian state media released footage purportedly showcasing successful strikes on targets, including central Tel Aviv, an airbase, and a civilian airport. Subsequently, flights to and from Tehran’s international airport were suspended.
In response to the missile assault, U.S. President Joe Biden convened an emergency meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris and the national security team to address the situation. Biden instructed the U.S. military to support Israel’s defense by intercepting missiles targeting Israel. U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan later stated that the attack seemed to be largely ineffective and emphasized that there would be severe consequences for the assault, pledging to collaborate with Israel on responsive measures.
Financial markets reacted swiftly to the attack’s initial warnings, with Brent crude oil prices rising by 5.2 percent to $75.39 per barrel and gold prices also increasing.
The Iranian missile strike is anticipated to prompt a significant Israeli response and came with much shorter notice than a prior assault in April when Iran launched over 300 missiles and drones at Israel, resulting in limited damage.
Subsequently, the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, conducted a targeted missile attack on an Iranian base near Isfahan. In recent statements, Netanyahu has escalated his rhetoric against Tehran, asserting that there is no location in the Middle East beyond Israel’s reach.
Earlier on Tuesday, Israel initiated a ground offensive in Lebanon, furthering its campaign against Hizbollah after conducting widespread airstrikes on the militant group. This escalation follows Israeli operations that have included the assassination of Nasrallah, a bombing campaign causing over 1,000 deaths in Lebanon, and the deployment of troops across the border.
Israel has described its operations in Lebanon as limited, localized, and targeted ground raids against Hizbollah in the country’s south, aiming to secure northern Israel for the return of approximately 60,000 displaced civilians.
The regional escalation has been accompanied by increasingly assertive Israeli declarations, with officials intending to decisively defeat Hizbollah, and Netanyahu recently asserting a shift in the region’s power balance.
Iranian authorities maintain that they seek to avoid broader Middle East conflict, accusing Israel of attempting to entrap the Islamic republic. Nonetheless, faced with perceived weakness due to Hizbollah’s significant setbacks, Iran opted to directly confront Israel.
On the same day, six individuals were killed and several injured in a shooting attack near a light-rail station in Jaffa, south of Tel Aviv, which Israeli police attributed to terrorism. The assailants were reportedly neutralized by police.
Additional reporting was contributed by Raya Jalabi in Beirut, Mehul Srivastava in Tel Aviv, and Rafe Uddin in London.
