Iran launched its largest missile attack on Israel, firing over 200 missiles into Israeli territory, as the long-standing conflict between the two nations spirals toward a larger regional war. Israeli air defenses, along with U.S. military support, intercepted many of the missiles, though several hit central and southern Israel, causing damage.
The missile attack followed weeks of Israeli airstrikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, with the most recent strikes killing top Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and several Iranian military figures. Iran framed its missile barrage as retaliation for these targeted killings.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Iran would face harsh consequences, stating, “Iran made a big mistake tonight — and it will pay.”
In southern Lebanon, Israeli ground forces have been advancing in an effort to push Hezbollah away from the border. This conflict has led to the deaths of over 1,000 Lebanese civilians and displaced more than a million people. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has continued firing rockets into Israel, refusing to stop without a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
President Joe Biden reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel, stating that the U.S. military helped intercept some of the Iranian missiles. Biden described the attack as a “significant escalation” but noted that the U.S. and Israel successfully defended against it.
The U.N. Security Council has called an emergency meeting to address the rising tensions, as the situation in the Middle East grows more dangerous by the hour.
