Why Iran Launched 300 Ballistic Missiles On Israel And How It Was Intercepted
On Saturday, April 13, 2024, at around 20:00 GMT, Iran launched 300 ballistic missiles against Israel, one of the biggest air strikes the country has faced. For five hours, Israel’s military and its allies fought to contend with 120 ballistic missiles, 170 attack drones, and more than 30 cruise missiles.
While Israel’s military said that the attack recorded “a small number of hits,” – a seven-year-old girl was severely injured, while other patients sustained minor injuries – the attack on Saturday followed weeks of escalated tension between Israel and Iran.
Here’s Why Iran Attacked Israel
Although Iran and Israel, for decades, have been in what could be described as a shadow war, Saturday’s attack is the first time Iran attacked Israeli territory from Iranian soil in an onslaught called Operation True Promise. Experts, like Ahron Bregman, a political scientist and expert in Middle Eastern security issues at King’s College London, called it a “historic event.” However, a little over two weeks ago, despite the friction between the two countries, Iran would have avoided direct physical confrontation.
Iran’s air strike was largely a retaliation attack against Israel. On April 1, Israel attacked Iran’s consulate in Damascus, Syria, which killed 13 people, including an Iranian military commander Major-General Mohammad Reza Zahed. Six other Iranian nationals and six Syrian citizens were also killed.
Since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the retaliatory barrage that has been ongoing along the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah, a Lebanese armed group with strong ties with Hamas, has been trading attacks with Israel’s military across Lebanon-Israel. Hezbollah, reportedly backed by Iran, operates from Lebanon, a small Middle East country that borders Syria to the North and East, and with Israel to the South.
To reduce the military might of Hezbollah, Israel sometimes targets Iran top military personnel, as the country is believed to be responsible for providing military-like training, weapons, and organisational aids, and finances for Hezbollah.
In response to the attack on their consulate, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has been Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989, said “We will make them regretful about the crime and similar acts.” Five days later, 300 ballistic missiles were deployed against Israel, the first attack Iran has deployed against Israel within its territory.
The Iron Dome: Israel’s Air Defence
Developed in 2006, and first used in combat in 2011, Israel’s Iron Dome system, powered by mobile missile-defence batteries, is lauded for its effectiveness in intercepting armed ballistic missiles and rockets. Working on an advanced military defence technology, the Iron Dome radar unit typically detects incoming projectiles, and relays data such as its speed and trajectory to the control centres. This will trigger armed launchers, which contain 20 interceptor missiles each, to fire missiles, only if the control centres determined that the incoming projectile was aimed to hit a populated area.
But the minimal casualties of Saturday’s attack was as a result of a combined effort between Israel and its allies.
According to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the air strikes were blocked in the most impressive way.
“The Iranian attack was blocked in the most impressive way, together with our partners, the Americans and others,” Gallant said shortly after the attack.
With the help of the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Jordan, most of the projectiles were intercepted outside Israel’s borders.
US President Joe Biden, while admitting that the US helped Israel take down “nearly all” of the drones and missiles, said he’ll lead a diplomatic response to “Iran’s brazen attack” with fellow G7 leaders.
Is The Situation Expected To Escalate?
A statement by the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations, shows that Iran’s attack was a direct response to Israel’s military action to their consulate in Damascus and its believed that the country has no intention to engage in a full blown war with Israel.
“Iran’s military action was in response to the Zionist regime’s aggression against our diplomatic premises in Damascus. The matter can be deemed concluded,” the statement read in part. It added, “However, should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe. It is a conflict between Iran and the rogue Israeli regime, from which the U.S. MUST STAY AWAY!”
With Israel continuing its offensive in Gaza Strip, it’s unlikely that the country with 9.5 million people, who depends on America for military support, will risk a full blown war against Iran.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog, when he spoke with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on Sunday, said the country is not seeking war after Iran’s attack.
“I think we’re operating in a very focused and very responsible way and I’m sure there will be a decision accordingly that will make sure that we protect and defend the people of Israel,” Herzog said.
However, the war-cabinet of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is still engaging with many world leaders, appears to favour a counter-offensive against Iran.
Speaking to the nation before the attack, Netanyahu said that his country is prepared for any “scenario, both defensively and offensively.”
“Our defensive systems are deployed; we are ready for any scenario, both defensively and offensively. The State of Israel is strong. The [Israeli army] is strong. The public is strong,” he said.
He added, “We have determined a clear principle: Whoever harms us, we will harm them. We will defend ourselves against any threat and will do so level-headedly and with determination.”
