Israel is preparing a significant military response after Iran launched nearly 200 missiles toward Israeli targets, marking a dangerous escalation in the Middle East conflict. The missile barrage, which largely failed to hit critical Israeli targets due to joint U.S.-Israeli missile defense systems, has brought Israel and Iran to the brink of a broader regional war. Israeli officials have signaled that retaliatory strikes could target strategic sites, including Iran's vital oil facilities and air defense systems, in what is expected to be one of the most consequential military engagements between the two nations.
The Israeli government, while weighing various options, is determined to respond decisively. "Iran made a big mistake tonight and it will pay for it," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a statement following the attack. The missile strike came after Israel had killed key Iranian and Hezbollah leaders in recent weeks, intensifying the long-standing hostility between the two countries.
Israeli officials told Axios that while Israel's response could include airstrikes on Iran's oil production facilities, it may also involve targeted assassinations and attacks on Iran's nuclear infrastructure. "We have a big question mark about how the Iranians are going to respond to an attack, but we take into consideration the possibility that they would go all in," an Israeli official said.
Iran, on the other hand, has threatened further attacks if Israel retaliates. This leaves the region on edge as the two rivals approach the most significant confrontation in years. Unlike the limited exchange following Iran's missile strike in April, this situation is expected to escalate far beyond previous skirmishes.
In light of the Iranian missile attack, the Israeli Security Cabinet convened in an underground bunker near Jerusalem to discuss next steps. While Israel plans to strike back on its own terms, officials are coordinating closely with the U.S. administration. Israel anticipates that any further Iranian retaliation could require U.S. assistance, particularly in missile defense and logistical support. President Joe Biden has reiterated the U.S. commitment to Israel, saying, "The United States is fully, fully supportive of Israel."
U.S. military assets in the region, including two naval destroyers, played a pivotal role in intercepting Iranian missiles, preventing them from striking critical Israeli infrastructure. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan emphasized the importance of ongoing discussions between the two nations, acknowledging that "it remains to be seen" what the full Israeli response will entail.
On the Iranian side, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, appearing in public for the first time since the attack, warned Western powers to stay out of the Middle East and voiced support for further military action. "Being in mourning does not mean being depressed and sitting in a corner," Khamenei remarked, referring to the recent assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, a close ally of Iran. Iran's leadership has framed its missile attack as a lawful and necessary response to Israeli aggression, solidifying unity among its previously divided political elite.
Iranian officials have insisted that their missile strike targeted military sites, not civilians, aiming to demonstrate that the attack was measured. "Iran's targets had been strictly military," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated, emphasizing that the missile launch was a calculated move to reassert Iran's deterrent power.
As the conflict intensifies, global leaders are calling for restraint. European nations have urged both Israel and Iran to avoid further escalation, fearing that a broader war could destabilize the already volatile region. Iran has used diplomatic channels, including the Swiss embassy in Tehran, to communicate its stance to the U.S. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that further Israeli actions would lead to a "great war," potentially drawing in more actors from across the region.
In the meantime, Iran has fortified its defenses and placed its airspace under tight control. The country's military is preparing for potential strikes on key nuclear facilities, including the underground Fordow uranium enrichment site, a known target in Israel's long-term strategic plans. Observers warn that an Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear infrastructure could dramatically shift the region's balance of power and provoke Iran to accelerate its nuclear ambitions.
