Iran fired 181 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday night, setting off air raid sirens across the country and forcing about 10 million Israelis into bomb shelters. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that a large portion of the missiles were intercepted by the country’s advanced missile defense systems, including the Iron Dome and Arrow systems. However, several projectiles managed to penetrate the defense armor, causing minor damage and minor injuries.
immediate response
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack, saying Iran had made a “big mistake” and warning Tehran that it “will have to pay for this.”
The missile attack is the second direct attack on Israel by Iran this year, following a similar attack in April, which was quickly contained by Israeli and allied security forces. According to Iranian officials, Tuesday’s attacks were in retaliation for the killing of senior Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in recent Israeli military operations.
Reading “Time, place we will decide, we will act”: Iran to Israel after missile attack
Israeli Embassy in India spokesperson Guy Nir said in a special conversation with NDTV that an appropriate response will be given to Tehran. “If he (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei) plans to start a full-scale war with Israel, it would be a mistake for them (Iran),” Mr Nir told NDTV. “Israel’s response is going to be something strategic and precise, not a full-scale war. I don’t think either side wants that.”
Iran’s Ambassador to India Iraj Elahi warned that his country will “attack Israel again” if it does not ease tensions in the region. “If the Hitler of our times (Netanyahu) stops his cruelty and hostility, his country will not have to suffer the consequences,” Mr Elahi told NDTV.
America warned of serious consequences
In response to the attack, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan issued a stern warning to Iran, saying that the missile attack represented a “significant escalation” and would have “serious consequences”. During a press conference at the White House, Sullivan pledged that the US would stand with Israel and support any retaliation.
live update “There will be consequences, there will be plans”: Israel after Iran missile attack
US President Joe Biden echoed this sentiment, expressing full support for Israel and indicating that military discussions were underway to determine an appropriate response. Biden assured that the US military would assist in defending Israel and deter any further Iranian missile attacks. Asked about the scope of US involvement, Biden commented that discussions on a joint response were “active” and “ongoing”.
attack and its aftermath
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for the missile attack targeting three Israeli military bases near Tel Aviv. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi announced that the attack was over unless Israel escalated. The IRGC warned that any Israeli retaliation would result in “crushing attacks”.
Although most missiles were intercepted, there were sporadic reports of damage and injuries. Two civilians were slightly injured by shrapnel in Tel Aviv, while a Palestinian civilian was killed by missile debris in the West Bank city of Jericho, news agency AFP reported. The Israeli military immediately announced that the immediate danger had passed, and civilians were allowed to leave the bomb shelters after an hour.
Regional and global implications
Tehran’s missile attack comes amid growing fears of a wider regional conflict. In a related escalation, Israeli forces launched ground raids in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah positions. Lebanese officials reported that at least 55 people were killed in the latest Israeli air strikes, increasing the number of casualties since the conflict escalated in early October.
Lebanon’s health ministry said more than 1,800 people have been killed since the conflict began, while thousands have been displaced across the region. The possibility of further tensions between Israel and Iranian-backed groups in Lebanon and Gaza has raised concerns in the international community.
International reactions
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack, called for an immediate ceasefire and warned against escalating conflict in the Middle East. “This must stop. We absolutely need a ceasefire,” Guterres said in a statement.
As tensions escalated, Jordan, Iraq, and Israel closed their airspace, and flights were suspended at Tehran International Airport, Ben Gurion Airport in Israel, and other regional hubs. Neighboring countries including Iraq and Jordan are bracing for further fallout, with Iran-backed Iraqi militias threatening to target US bases in the region if Washington gets involved in the conflict.
