Iran strikes Israel with ballistic missiles, escalating tensions amid U.S. backing for retaliation

In a dramatic escalation, Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday, following Israeli military operations against Tehran's Hezbollah allies in Lebanon. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed the attack was in retaliation for recent Israeli airstrikes and targeted killings of militant leaders in Lebanon and Gaza. For the first time, Iranian forces employed hypersonic Fattah missiles, claiming that 90% of them successfully hit their targets inside Israel.

Israel reported that over 180 missiles were fired into its territory, triggering the activation of its air defenses. According to the Pentagon, U.S. Navy warships stationed in the region deployed approximately a dozen interceptors to defend Israel from the attack.

The conflict quickly intensified as Israel retaliated with airstrikes in the occupied West Bank, resulting in the deaths of six Palestinians, including the son of a well-known imprisoned militant. Israeli officials stated that the individuals killed were militants involved in previous attacks.

In response to the missile barrage, Israeli Major General Herzi Halevi vowed that Israel would strike back at a time of its choosing. "We will prove our precise and surprising attack capabilities in accordance with political directives," Halevi said.

The United States, a long-time ally of Israel, expressed unwavering support. During a White House briefing, spokesman Jake Sullivan warned of "severe consequences" for Iran's actions, though he stopped short of specifying what those consequences might be. This marked a shift in tone from earlier this year when the U.S. had urged restraint following an Iranian drone and missile strike on Israel.

Iran, meanwhile, remained defiant. Iran's state news agency reported that the missile attack targeted three Israeli military bases, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declaring that this was only a fraction of Iran's military capability. Pezeshkian warned Israel not to provoke further conflict with Tehran. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that the missile strike had been ordered directly by Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who remains in a secure location.

As tensions between Israel and Iran continue to escalate, both sides are preparing for the possibility of broader conflict, with Israel and the U.S. both vowing strong retaliatory measures if Iran launches further strikes.