Iran’s missile attacks on Israel: assessment, response… what we know about the situation

Iran has gone on the offensive. The Tehran regime launched a missile attack towards Tel Aviv on Tuesday, the same day that Israel announced military ground operations in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah, Iran’s ally.

This event also comes four days after the assassination of the leader of the Lebanese movement Hassan Nasrallah, in an Israeli raid near Beirut. Update on the situation.

What is the Iranian attack?

Iran fired missiles at around 6:30 p.m. (French time) towards Israel on Tuesday, where warning sirens sounded throughout the territory, after the army called on the population to prepare for a “large-scale” attack. “.

In Tehran, the official IRNA news agency simply announced Iran’s firing of “missiles on Tel Aviv”, without further details.

The attack lasted almost an hour. Israel claims that around 180 missiles were fired, while Tehran claims nearly 200, having hit their target “90%” according to the Revolutionary Guards.

What results?

At 7:30 p.m. (French time), an initial report showed two minor injuries while the army assured that a “large number” of missiles had been intercepted. It also claims to have detected “impacts” of Iranian missiles after the attack. Shortly before 8 p.m., residents were allowed to come out of the shelters.

A Palestinian was killed by shrapnel from an Iranian missile in the West Bank, according to a local official.

Ben Gurion Airport and Israeli airspace were quickly closed as a precaution. Same thing in Iraq and Jordan, countries which have also announced that they have intercepted missiles and drones.

What does Iran say?

According to the Revolutionary Guards, “the attack on Israel is a response to the deaths of the leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas.” “In response to the martyrs of Ismaïl Haniyeh, Hassan Nasrallah and Abbas Nilforoushan (deputy head of the Guards), we targeted the heart of the occupied territories” (Israel), indicated in a press release the Revolutionary Guards, the army ideology of Iran, which also threatened “crushing attacks” if Israel responded to the missile attacks. The attack is a “decisive response” to Israel’s “aggression,” Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian said.

On April 13, in response to a deadly strike attributed to Israel on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Iran had already fired some 350 explosive drones and missiles towards Israel, the first direct attack of its kind, and which injured a Bedouin girl. Most of the missiles were intercepted by Israel with the help of foreign countries, especially the United States. According to the Pentagon, twice as many missiles were fired on Tuesday as in April.

What does Israel respond to?

This Tuesday evening, Israel quickly announced that it would react, without saying more for the moment. “We will act when and where we decide,” said Daniel Hagari, a spokesman for the Israeli army. “We have a very strong capacity in attack (…). This is not the first time that there has been shooting from Iran. The army’s defense system made it possible to defend the country.” “These shootings are very serious, there will be a response,” said Daniel Hagari.

“Iran made a serious mistake this evening and will pay the price,” Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video message, recorded after his cabinet meeting in an ultra-secure bunker. “The Iranian regime does not understand our determination to defend ourselves and hold our enemies accountable. “Nasrallah (didn’t understand it) and apparently there are people in Tehran who don’t understand it. They will understand it,” Mr. Netanyahu threatened, adding: “We will stick to what we have set: whoever attacks us, we attack. »

What role for the Americans?

Several hours before the missile launches, the United States said it had “indications that Iran is preparing to launch an imminent ballistic missile attack” against Israel. Such an attack “would lead to serious consequences” for Iran, Washington assured, ready to provide “additional defensive support” to the Jewish state.

American President Joe Biden has also ordered the American army to “help Israel defend itself” against the attack launched by Iran and to “shoot down the missiles” targeting this ally country. of the United States, the White House said Tuesday evening. The outgoing president and his vice-president, candidate for the November 5 election, Kamala Harris, both followed the attack from the White House situation room, it is specified. Biden and Netanyahu are due to meet during the day on Wednesday, according to a senior American official, to discuss the follow-up planned by Israel to respond to Iran.

On Monday, the United States strengthened its presence in the Middle East by deploying “a few thousand” additional troops in the region, in response to rising tensions, the Pentagon announced. The additional personnel and assets deployed also include “F-16, F-15E, A-10, F-22” combat aircraft and related personnel.

What reactions?

Israel’s ally, Washington through its Secretary of State Antony Blinken, deemed this attack “totally unacceptable”, adding that “the whole world must condemn it”. The United States, which denies having been warned by Tehran, intends to “coordinate” with the Israelis a response to Iran after its missile attack against Israel. Iran’s attack on Israel proved “ineffective” and was “defeated” by Israeli forces, supported by the United States, judged American national security adviser Jake Sullivan.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday evening condemned “in the strongest possible terms” Iran’s attack on Israel, reiterating the United Kingdom’s “firm commitment” to Israel’s security. The Labor leader who spoke with Benjamin Netanyahu also “underlined the importance of a ceasefire in Lebanon”, and called once again for a ceasefire in Gaza and the return of Israeli hostages .

The EU, too, has “condemned in the strongest terms” Iran’s attack on Israel, in the words of its vice-president Josep Borrell on the social network of attacks and reprisals risks getting out of control. An immediate ceasefire across the region is necessary. The EU remains fully committed to helping avoid regional war.” Spain called for “restraint”.

The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas welcomed the heroic missile attacks carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iran against large swaths of the occupied territories” (Israel), the Palestinian movement said in a statement, specifying that these strikes were “revenge for our heroic martyrs”.

According to Moscow, the explosive situation in the Middle East demonstrates the “total failure” of American policy in the region and the “powerlessness” of Washington to prevent an escalation, after Iran’s massive missile attack against Israel .