What do Iran's attacks on Israel mean? The latest developments in the region...
Explosions were heard in the skies over Tel Aviv following an attack originating from Iran against Israel. So, what does the tension in the region mean? What is expected in the region following Iran's attack on Israel?
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Tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East. Footage broadcast by Israeli television showed missiles flying over Tel Aviv around 19:45 local time on Tuesday.
Military officials confirmed that some locations were hit in the attack. An Israel Defense Forces spokesperson said that several hits were recorded in the central part of the country and other locations in the south.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), meanwhile, claimed that hypersonic missiles were launched for the first time and that a 90 percent hit rate was achieved. In a statement to official media, IRGC sources stated that three Israeli military bases were targeted in the attack.
However, the Israeli military emphasized that a "large number" of missiles launched by Iran were intercepted.
According to a BBC report, they heard that at least two missiles were intercepted in Jerusalem.
Israeli emergency services reported that they had not yet received any reports of serious injuries, noting that two people were slightly injured by shrapnel.
The Israeli military made similar statements.
WHY DID IRAN ATTACK ISRAEL?
In a written statement, the IRGC stated that the attack was in retaliation for Israel's killing of high-ranking commanders and leaders of Iranian-backed militias in the region.
The statement mentioned the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and IRGC commander Abbas Nilforoushan in Beirut last weekend.
The IRGC also referred to the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July.
Although no statement was made regarding whether it played a role in the Haniyeh assassination, it is believed that Israel is behind the attack.
A high-ranking Iranian official stated that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei personally gave the order for the attack.
WHAT DO THE ATTACKS MEAN?
The attacks signify a renewed escalation of tension in the long-standing shadow war between the two powers in the region.
Iran does not recognize Israel's right to exist and wants it destroyed. For years, Tehran has been supporting militia forces that oppose Israel as part of the "Axis of Resistance."
Israel, on the other hand, believes that Iran poses an existential threat and has been engaged in covert operations against Tehran for years.
DID THE IRON DOME SYSTEM STOP THE MISSILES?
Israel has advanced air defense systems, the most well-known of which is the Iron Dome. It was designed to stop short-range rockets fired by Hamas and Hezbollah.
While the Iron Dome was used to repel some elements of the Iranian attack in April, the bulk of the work in the latest attack likely fell to the country's "layered" air defense systems.
The David's Sling system, developed in partnership with the US, is used to intercept medium- and long-range rockets.
Against long-range, ballistic missiles traveling outside the atmosphere, the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 systems are deployed.
HOW DID ISRAEL RESPOND?
The White House announced that US President Joe Biden had ordered American forces in the region to "assist in the defense of Israel" and shoot down Iranian missiles.
A Department of Defense spokesperson also announced that two American destroyers fired dozens of missiles at Iranian missiles heading toward Israel.
The BBC also obtained verified footage showing Iranian missiles being intercepted over the skies of Amman, the capital of Jordan.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN NOW?
Following the attack, while Israel warned that there would be severe consequences, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Iran made a big mistake tonight and it will pay for it."
Israeli Military Spokesperson Daniel Hagari also emphasized that the attack was "serious" and that the country would remain on high alert.
Hagari stated, "There will be consequences for this attack. We have plans, and we will act at the time and place that we decide."
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had also said after his meeting with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant that "Iran would face severe consequences if it attacked Israel."
The IRGC stated that if Israel retaliates, Tehran's response would be "more devastating and destructive."