Iran launched a barrage of 181 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday night.
Iran Missile Attack On Israel, US Gives Warning
Iran launched a barrage of 181 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday night, triggering nationwide air raid sirens and forcing nearly 10 million Israelis into bomb shelters. Iran fired a salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday in retaliation for Israel’s campaign against Tehran’s Hezbollah allies in Lebanon. Alarms sounded across Israel and explosions could be heard in Jerusalem and the Jordan River valley after Israelis piled into bomb shelters.
The IDF reported that a large portion of the missiles was intercepted by the country’s advanced missile defence systems, including the Iron Dome and Arrow systems. However, several projectiles managed to penetrate the defence shield, leading to minor damage and light injuries.
Immediate Response
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack, stating that Iran had made a “big mistake” and warned Tehran that it “will pay for it.” The missile salvo is the second direct attack by Iran on Israel this year, following a similar offensive in April, which was quickly subdued by Israeli and allied defences.
US Warning Of Severe Consequences
In response to the attack, US NSA Jake Sullivan issued a stark warning to Iran, stating that the missile strike represented a “significant escalation” and that there would be “severe consequences.” During a press briefing at the White House, Sullivan pledged that the US would stand by Israel and support any retaliatory measures.
Iran’s missile attack on Tuesday was serious and will have consequences, Israel’s military spokesperson said, declining to specify how and when Israel would respond.
International Reactions
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack, calling for an immediate ceasefire and warning against the broadening conflict in the Middle East. “This must stop. We absolutely need a ceasefire,” Guterres said in a statement.
As tensions continued to rise, Jordan, Iraq, and Israel closed their airspace, and flights were suspended at Tehran International Airport, Ben Gurion Airport in Israel, and other regional hubs. Neighbouring countries, including Iraq and Jordan, are bracing for further fallout, with Iran-backed Iraqi militias threatening to target US bases in the region should Washington become involved in the conflict.
World leaders, including UK PM Kier Starmer, UK Defence Secretary John Healey, and Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese condemned Iran’s attack on Israel. EAM S Jaishankar said on Tuesday that India is “very much” concerned at the possibility of broadening of the conflict in the Middle East.
