Tensions Escalate: Iran Launches Missile Barrage at Israel Amidst Growing Conflict
In a significant escalation of tensions, Iran launched nearly 200 missiles at Israel on Tuesday night, prompting a wave of sirens across major Israeli cities. Fortunately, Israeli authorities reported no major injuries or casualties from the barrage. The Pentagon confirmed that Israel's military successfully intercepted the majority of the missiles, aided by two US Navy destroyers that shot down approximately 12 incoming interceptors.
The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed this marked the first operational use of their Fattah supersonic missiles, asserting that 90% of their launchers successfully hit designated targets. State media in Tehran indicated the assault was aimed at three specific Israeli military bases, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi took to social media to assert their justification under international law. He stated, "We exercised our right to legitimate defense under Article 51 of the Charter and exclusively targeted military and security bases responsible for genocide in Gaza and Lebanon."
Despite the missile strikes from Iran, a Pentagon spokesperson noted that the damage inflicted on the ground in Israel was minimal. However, there were reports on Israeli media of civilian casualties, including a 30-year-old woman named Shahir Goldman. The attack provoked immediate shelter responses among Israeli citizens, who took cover as sirens blared warnings of incoming fire.
International reactions to the incident have been varied, with the US State Department confirming that Washington’s allies aided Israel during the attack, although specific details regarding which countries participated remain undisclosed. The UK's Defence Secretary John Healey publicly acknowledged the involvement of British forces but did not elaborate on their actions.
The Iranian offensive comes in the wake of a series of Israeli airstrikes that have reportedly resulted in the deaths of significant Hezbollah leadership, including commander Hassan Nasrallah. These strikes also led to a large-scale displacement of Lebanese civilians. The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that the missile attacks were retaliation for what they termed aggression from the Israeli forces, including perceived violations of Iranian sovereignty.
As the dust settles, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Iran would face repercussions for its actions. "Iran made a grave mistake this evening and it will pay for it," Netanyahu said during a security cabinet meeting, asserting Israel's unwavering commitment to its defense.
Additionally, militant groups supported by Iran in Iraq have threatened to retaliate if the US gets involved in any Israeli response or if Israel conducts operations using Iraqi airspace. Meanwhile, the Palestinian group Hamas commended the Iranian IRGC’s missile attack on Israel, labeling it as heroic, while sentiments of satisfaction rippled among some Iranian citizens following the strike.
With the situation remaining volatile, the international community watches closely as the potential for a broader conflict looms.
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