Tel Aviv/Tehran: In a sharp escalation of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iranian-backed militias, Iran fired nearly 200 missiles into Israel on Tuesday. The attack comes after the U.S. issued warnings that an Iranian strike was imminent. Air raid sirens blared across Israel, prompting residents to seek shelter, but no immediate casualties were reported.
In response to the attack, Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari vowed that Israel would retaliate at a time of its choosing. “This attack will have consequences. We have plans, and we will operate at the place and time we decide,” Hagari said. He also reassured the nation that Israel’s air defense system was fully operational and had intercepted numerous missiles.
Explosions were heard in Tel Aviv and near Jerusalem, though it remains unclear whether they resulted from missile impacts or defense system intercepts. Following the missile barrage, the Israeli military announced that the threat had subsided and that it was safe for citizens to leave shelters. Israeli airspace was closed, with all flights diverted, while neighboring countries Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan also closed their airspaces as a precaution.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the missile attack, claiming it was a response to the recent killings of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh. The IRGC warned Israel of further “crushing attacks” if it retaliated. Meanwhile, Hamas praised the Iranian missile strike, framing it as retribution for the deaths of its leaders.
The United States swiftly reacted to the situation, with President Joe Biden ordering military assistance to bolster Israel’s defense. Both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were closely monitoring the situation from the White House. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the escalating conflict and called for an immediate ceasefire.
As the region braces for further developments, fears of a broader conflict loom. Iran’s missile strike follows months of rising tensions between Israel and Iran-aligned militias, with both sides warning of severe consequences for any future escalations.
