Israel and Iran: What to know about the recent missile attack in Tehran
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- Author, Matt Murphy and Patrick Jackson
- Author title, bbcnews
Iran fired about 200 ballistic missiles toward Israel on Tuesday, some of which fell into Israeli territory.
It is Iran’s second attack this year after launching hundreds of missiles and drones against Israel in April.
This Tuesday, explosions were heard in the cities of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv during the Iranian attack. Projectiles were seen flying over the area, although a large portion were intercepted by Israeli air defense systems with the help of American warships.
After the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Iran “made a big mistake tonight and will pay a price for it.”
This is what we know so far.
What was the scale of Iran’s attack?
The Israeli military reported that Iran fired about 180 missiles toward Israel. This would make it a slightly larger attack than the April bombing, in which about 110 ballistic missiles and 30 cruise missiles were fired toward Israel.
Images broadcast on Israeli television showed some missiles flying over the Tel Aviv area shortly before 7:45 pm local time (16:45 GMT).
An Israeli security official said most of the missiles were shot down by Israeli air defense systems.
Some missiles fell into Israeli territory, causing no serious injuries or significant material damage.
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It is maintained by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran (IRGC). 90% of projectiles reach their target And indicated that hypersonic missiles had been used for the first time.
IRGC sources indicated that three Israeli military targets were targeted.
The Palestinian Civil Defense Authority in the West Bank city of Jericho said one person was killed there during an Iranian missile launch.
According to the AFP news agency, which spoke to the city’s governor, Hussein Hamayel, the victim was killed by falling missile debris.
Why did Iran attack Israel?
The IRGC noted that the attacks were In response to the death of one of its top commanders at the hands of Israel and leaders of Iranian-backed militias in the region.
He mentioned the deaths of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and IRGC commander Abbas Nilforoshan in the Lebanese capital Beirut on September 27.
He also mentioned the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniya in Tehran in July.
Although Israel has not admitted being behind some of these deaths, it is widely believed to be responsible.
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A senior Iranian official gave this information to Reuters news agency That the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had personally ordered Tuesday’s missile attack.
Iran does not recognize Israel’s right to exist and wants to destroy it as a state. He has been supporting anti-Israel paramilitary organizations for years.
Israel believes Iran is an existential threat and has been waging a covert campaign against Tehran for years.
Were the missiles stopped by Iron Dome?
Israel has A state-of-the-art air defense systemThe most famous of which is the Iron Dome.
It is designed to intercept short-range rockets fired by Hamas and Hezbollah.
While it was used as a defense against some missiles in Iran’s last attack in April, other elements of Israel’s “layered” defense systems likely did most of the work on Tuesday.
david’s sling – a system jointly built by the United States and Israel – is used to intercept medium- and long-range rockets, as well as ballistic and cruise missiles.
And for long-range ballistic missiles, which fly outside the Earth’s atmosphere, Israel has the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 interceptors.
How did Israel’s allies respond?
US President Joe Biden reaffirmed his country’s support for Israel after Iran’s missile attack, calling it “defeated and ineffective”.
He said he had ordered his forces in the area to “assist in Israel’s defense” and to shoot down Iranian missiles.
A Pentagon spokesman said US Navy destroyers had fired about a dozen interceptors against Iranian missiles aimed at Israel.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin condemned “this outrageous act of aggression by Iran”.
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The BBC also verified images showing missile interceptions over the Jordanian capital Amman. During Iran’s last attack in April, the country also shot down several missiles.
bbc understands this British fighter planes He rallied in support of Israel on Tuesday, as he did in April.
British Defense Secretary John Healey said late Tuesday that British forces “played their part in efforts to stop the advance,” without giving further details.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicated that the United Kingdom supports Israel and recognizes its “right to self-defense.”
France and Japan joined their voices in condemning Iran’s attacks and called on all parties to refrain from further escalation.
What will happen next?
Netanyahu indicated that Iran He made a “big mistake” and will “pay for it”,
Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari said, “We have plans and we will take action wherever and whenever we decide.”
Iran’s IRGC said that if Israel retaliated, Tehran’s response would be “more crushing and devastating”.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military launched new airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut overnight after warning residents to leave the city’s southern suburbs, where the group has a presence.
This Wednesday Israel continued its attack on southern Lebanon.
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