Retaliation from Israel for the October 1, 2024, missile attack launched from Iranian soil has occurred this morning . Iran’s assault, involving approximately 200 missiles, targeted critical Israeli sites, particularly military airbases like Nevatim and Tel Nof. Israel’s government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has condemned the assault as a “grave mistake” and signaled plans for a counterstrike, further raising concerns over potential regional escalations. Israelis have fired missiles into the capital city Tehran and also announced that their retaliatory action became successfully ended.
We can see the video showing that Iran’s air defence system neutralising missiles. Although Iran did not release any official statement about the damages by Israelis.Several explosions were heard west of Tehran around 2:15 a.m. local time (about 7 p.m. ET Friday), according to IRNA.
The agency said the situation in the capital remained “normal” despite the explosions.
The semi-official Tasnim news agency earlier reported that several explosions were heard west of the Iranian capital.
Background
The October attack is part of a broader regional dynamic that has seen escalated confrontations between Israel and Iran throughout 2024. Earlier this year, Israel conducted a series of covert operations, targeting high-ranking Iranian and Hezbollah leaders in Lebanon and Syria. In July, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran, reportedly by Mossad agents. According to Israeli intelligence, these operations aimed to weaken Iranian influence and reduce threats from Hezbollah and Hamas
Iran, however, framed its response as self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, stating that it was forced into action to protect its sovereignty and deter further Israeli “aggressions.” Iranian officials announced the October 1 missile attack, code-named Operation True Promise 2, as a “decisive response” to Israel’s previous assassinations of key Iranian and Hezbollah figures. Despite this framing, Israel and its allies view the Iranian actions as a provocation, necessitating a proportional response.
Israel’s Strategic Dilemma
In response to the missile attack, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi emphasized Israel’s “precise and surprising” retaliatory capabilities, indicating that Israel would strike back but would choose the timing and targets carefully to avoid an all-out regional war. Netanyahu’s administration seeks to respond decisively, as Netanyahu stated that “whoever attacks us—we will attack him,” but it also faces pressure from international allies, particularly the United States, to avoid a response that might spiral into a larger conflict.
The Israeli government’s response is thus caught between two priorities: demonstrating a strong defense policy to deter future Iranian aggression and preventing a full-scale regional war. Israeli officials must consider the potential for a retaliatory spiral, particularly as Iranian leaders, including Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, have warned that any additional Israeli strikes would lead to an even “more powerful” Iranian counterattack
U.S. Involvement and Regional Implications
The United States has taken a more active role in assisting Israel in this recent conflict, with the Pentagon confirming that U.S. Navy destroyers intercepted several missiles directed at Israel. Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder noted that approximately a dozen interceptors were launched to prevent further escalation.
This move signals a strong show of support, as the Biden administration emphasized its commitment to Israel’s security and stability in the region. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan reiterated the U.S. stance, condemning Iran’s actions as a destabilizing force in the Middle East and warning of “severe consequences” if Tehran continues its aggressive posture. The U.S. also deployed additional naval assets to the Eastern Mediterranean as a deterrence measure, further solidifying its stance of deterrence alongside Israel.
However, the U.S. administration is simultaneously urging Israel to avoid a heavy-handed retaliation, wary that a military escalation could draw in other regional actors, including Hezbollah and Syria.
Iran’s Strategic Position and Threat of Escalation
Iran has long pursued a policy of asymmetric warfare through its regional proxies in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza. The recent missile attack reflects Iran’s attempts to assert its influence and respond to Israeli actions it views as transgressions on its sovereignty.
Iranian officials argue that their October 1 actions were constrained and targeted solely at Israeli military installations, a measure designed to prevent civilian casualties and to convey a message rather than to cause extensive destruction. Iran’s Permanent Representative to the U.N., Amir Saeid Iravani, warned that Tehran would “swiftly and decisively” retaliate if Israel conducts further strikes, emphasizing the risks of escalation.
This threat, coupled with Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, presents a complex challenge for Israel. Iran’s strategic partnerships with Hezbollah and other militias across the region compound this risk, as any Israeli retaliation could draw these groups into the conflict, creating a multi-front confrontation that Israel seeks to avoid.
International Reactions and Regional Stability
International reactions to the latest Israel-Iran exchange have varied, with several nations expressing concerns about regional stability. European countries, traditionally involved in mediating Middle Eastern conflicts, have urged restraint on both sides. Meanwhile, Russia, which maintains strong ties with Iran and a significant presence in Syria, has also called for diplomatic measures to prevent further escalation, though its current engagement in Ukraine may limit its role in de-escalating the conflict in the Middle East.
Israel and Iran’s adversarial relationship has long been a source of volatility in the Middle East, where proxy conflicts and asymmetric warfare have become common. Each action taken by either side has the potential to trigger a chain reaction involving multiple regional actors, including Hezbollah, Syria, and even Turkey. As Israel and the U.S. continue to assess the next steps, the international community’s calls for restraint may play a crucial role in preventing a larger-scale conflict from emerging.
