Israel responded to Iran’s missile attack earlier this month with a series of airstrikes on Friday. The strikes targeted areas near Iran’s capital, Tehran, and the nearby city of Karaj. The Israeli military action was in retaliation for the more than 180 missiles fired by Iran towards Israel on October 1. Some of these missiles were intercepted with the help of the United States.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant had promised a precise and deadly response to Iran’s attack. Reports emerged last week that the Israeli Defense Forces had presented a list of potential targets to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Gallant as part of their preparations for the retaliatory strikes. Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon stated that the response to Iran would be very painful for the Iranian regime.
The missile barrage from Iran on October 1 was said to be in retaliation for the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut and Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Israel also eliminated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in a military operation in the Gaza Strip on October 16. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei referred to Nasrallah as “the flag-bearer of resistance” in the region.
During the Iranian attack on October 1, there were no casualties reported in Israel, although one Palestinian was killed in the West Bank. The U.S. Navy released video footage showing the USS Cole and USS Bulkeley firing ballistic missile interceptors to help defend against the Iranian aggression. Iran had previously attacked Israel in April with 300 missiles and drones, prompting Jerusalem to respond by hitting Iran’s air defenses.
To enhance Israel’s defenses against potential future attacks from Iran, a U.S. missile defense system is being deployed to the Middle East. The situation between Israel and Iran remains tense, with both sides preparing for possible further escalations in the conflict. Fox News reporters Morgan Phillips, Caitlin McFall, Stephen Sorace, and Liz Friden contributed to the coverage of these events.