The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Tuesday that Iran has launched “dozens of ballistic missiles aimed at key military and security sites” in Israel. This move is described as a measure of “self-defense,” responding to the recent assassination of Hamas Political Bureau chief in Tehran in July and heightened tensions fueled by U.S. support for attacks in Gaza and Lebanon.
In the statement, the IRGC warned, “If the Zionist regime dares to retaliate or carry out more malicious acts, they will face a severe response.” They urged regional allies and supporters of Israel to distance themselves from the Israeli regime.
In response, an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) official noted that the Israeli Air Force will “continue its intense operations across the Middle East.”
Ohad Zwigenberg/AP
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has also warned of “serious consequences” if Iran escalates attacks against Israel, following a White House alert stating that Iran was “imminently” preparing a missile launch.
This attack marks the second direct strike by Iran on Israel, with the first occurring in April in retaliation for the deaths of senior IRGC officials in Damascus.
Following the April strikes, Israel reportedly targeted an air defense system near a nuclear site in Iran, though both nations downplayed the incident.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas erupted following a surprise assault on October 7, 2023, with ongoing rocket and drone strikes from Hezbollah in Lebanon. The IDF’s operations in Gaza have escalated violence between Israel and Hezbollah to unprecedented levels since their last conflict in July 2006, leading to the displacement of tens of thousands on both sides.
Shortly after announcing the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in airstrikes in southern Beirut, which also claimed the life of IRGC Major General Abbas Nilforushan, the IDF confirmed it has initiated “limited, localized, and targeted ground raids” against Hezbollah.
This is a developing news story. More details will be provided as they emerge.