Iran fired approximately 180 missiles at Israel on Tuesday, in retaliation for the assassinations of Tehran-backed militant leaders. This escalation has raised tensions across the region, with fears of further conflict.
Most of the missiles were intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems or by allied forces before reaching their targets. The Israeli military confirmed the attack, noting that air raid sirens were activated nationwide. Within an hour, authorities announced the situation was under control, with a large number of missiles intercepted.
Two civilians in central Israel were lightly injured by shrapnel, while in the West Bank city of Jericho, a Palestinian was killed after being struck by rocket debris, according to the city’s governor. This marked Iran’s second direct attack on Israel this year, following a missile and drone strike in April, which was a response to an Israeli air raid on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for targeting three military bases around Tel Aviv, stating that the strikes were in retaliation for the recent deaths of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, the latter having been killed in a bombing in Tehran widely attributed to Israel.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the widening conflict, calling for an immediate ceasefire. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken labeled the Iranian missile attack “unacceptable” and urged global condemnation. Israeli airspace was temporarily closed, and neighboring countries like Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan also shut down their airspace in response to the situation. Explosions were reported over the Jordanian capital, Amman, as missiles were intercepted.
U.S. President Joe Biden ordered military assistance for Israel, authorizing the interception of Iranian missiles. While Iranian-backed groups have been involved in the ongoing Gaza conflict, this marked a rare direct attack by Tehran on Israel.
Israel’s military spokesman warned that this Iranian attack would have consequences, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guards stated that any Israeli retaliation would trigger even more severe strikes. French and German officials expressed concern about the conflict escalating into a direct war between Iran and Israel.
The missile strikes coincided with Israel’s ongoing military offensive in southern Lebanon, which has seen intense fighting and airstrikes, including the death of Hezbollah’s Nasrallah. Despite calls for de-escalation, Israel has continued to target Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon, aiming to neutralize the group’s military capabilities.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high in Gaza, where ongoing Israeli airstrikes have killed thousands. Hezbollah’s response to Israel’s military actions has included low-intensity strikes on Israeli forces along the border, further complicating efforts to contain the conflict.