Tensions between Israel and Iran have reached a peak with Israel launching a series of violent attacks on the heart of Iran’s nuclear and military structure. It was reported that missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were used to attack key facilities, and that many senior generals and scientists lost their lives as a result of the attacks.
Ballistic Missile Barrage from Iran: “Beginning of Overwhelming Response”
In response to Israel’s attacks, Iran retaliated with waves of ballistic missiles. The launches of the ballistic missiles reportedly caused explosions in the skies over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Iran announced that it had launched “hundreds of ballistic missiles of various types” toward Israel and that this was only the “beginning” of its “crushing response.” Iran’s official news agency IRNA stated, “A few minutes ago, with the launch of hundreds of ballistic missiles of various types into the occupied territories, the decisive response operation to the Zionist regime’s brutal aggression began.”
Iran claimed to have struck Israeli military-industrial centers used to produce missiles and other military equipment, saying, “Field reports, satellite imagery and intercepted intelligence indicate that dozens of ballistic missiles effectively struck strategic targets.”
Defense of Israel and US Support
Following the attack, the Israeli army claimed that Iran had fired fewer than 100 missiles at Israel, scoring only “a few hits.” Israel Defense Forces spokeswoman Effie Defrin said some of the hits were from debris from destroyed missiles.
As tensions escalate, the US military helped protect Israel from Iranian missiles on Friday after Tel Aviv launched a massive airstrike against Iran’s military leadership and nuclear program. A US defense official who confirmed the report did not say which American assets were used or how many defense systems were needed. However, some sources indicated that THAAD systems (Terminal High Altitude Air Defense) were used in the area. This once again underlined the extent of US military support for Israel and the importance of its military presence in the region.
Iran's Missile Capabilities
Iran has missiles with a range of over 1.000 km to reach Israel. Among these missiles, liquid-fueled missiles (Ghadr, Khorramshahr) that are thought to have been developed in cooperation with North Korea stand out. In addition to liquid-fueled missiles, Iran also has solid-fueled ballistic missiles in its inventory that can reach different ranges. It is also known that Iran's modern missiles have control surfaces to increase precision and allow them to maneuver in the atmosphere. In light of all this information, it is thought that Iran has multiple and relatively advanced missiles.
These mutual attacks and escalating tensions in the Middle East carry the potential for a serious crisis that threatens regional and global security. The international community is increasing its calls for diplomacy and dialogue to prevent further escalation of conflicts.
