By William J. Furney
Israel is preparing for a “significant retaliation” following Iran’s largest-ever missile strike, which saw over 180 ballistic missiles fired across the country on Tuesday night. Israeli officials have indicated that the response could come within days, targeting critical Iranian infrastructure, including oil production facilities, according to reports from US media. Tehran has warned that any further Israeli action would be met with “violent assaults”.
The barrage, described by Iran as a defensive measure, followed the Israeli killing of key militant leaders in Gaza and Lebanon, including Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard confirmed that its attack targeted three Israeli military bases, marking a dramatic escalation in the ongoing conflict.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Tehran would face harsh consequences. “Iran made a big mistake tonight – and it will pay for it,” he said during an emergency meeting of his security cabinet. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden reiterated his country’s full support for Israel, promising that Iran would face “severe consequences” for the attack.
While Israel’s advanced air defence systems intercepted most of the incoming missiles, the strikes rattled Jerusalem and southern Israel, with one missile reportedly damaging a school in Gadera. Sirens echoed across the country as citizens sought shelter from the barrage. No fatalities were reported within Israel, although two individuals were lightly injured by shrapnel, and one man in the occupied West Bank was killed.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesperson, labelled the Iranian missile strike a “dangerous escalation” but confirmed that Israel’s air defences, bolstered by assistance from the US military, successfully thwarted the majority of the attacks. US Navy warships fired interceptors to protect Israeli territory, and Britain also reportedly played a role in supporting the defence effort.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said early on Wednesday that Iran’s military action had concluded, unless Israel chose to retaliate, at which point Tehran would unleash even more strikes. “Our response will be stronger and more powerful if the Zionist regime invites further retaliation,” Araqchi posted on X (formerly Twitter). But Israeli officials said this was the time to “strike at the head of the Iranian snake”.
The conflict has sparked concerns of a broader regional war, with the UN Security Council scheduling an emergency meeting and the European Union calling for an immediate ceasefire. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the escalating violence, warning that it “must stop” to avoid spiralling into an uncontrollable war. The EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, echoed those sentiments, calling for restraint on all sides.
Despite these diplomatic calls for de-escalation, the situation in the region remains tense. Israel has continued to bombard Hezbollah positions in Beirut’s southern suburbs, issuing evacuation orders for civilians in the area.
Iranian forces claim to have used advanced hypersonic Fattah missiles for the first time during Tuesday’s attack, with the Revolutionary Guard saying that 90% of the missiles hit their intended targets.
With tensions rising across the Middle East, the world watches as Israel prepares what could be a decisive military response, targeting Iran’s strategic assets and potentially drawing the region deeper into conflict.
* Image: Anadolu.