Israel Launches Missile Strike on Iran; Iran Retaliates with Drone and Missile Attacks

Tensions between Israel and Iran have escalated dramatically after Israel launched a missile strike on targets inside Iran, including an air base in Isfahan housing Iran's fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcat fighter jets and sites associated with Iran's alleged nuclear program. The Israeli attack, described as a "measured response" by officials, came less than a week after Iran's unprecedented retaliatory strike against Israel, which included over 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles, and 120 ballistic missiles.

According to U.S. officials, five of the Iranian ballistic missiles struck Israel, with four hitting the Nevatim Air Base where Israeli F-35 fighter jets are based, likely Iran's primary target. While Iran has denied any damage to its nuclear facilities from the Israeli strike, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed there was no damage to Iran's nuclear sites.

Why this matters: The tit-for-tat strikes between Israel and Iran have brought their decades-long shadow war out into the open, raising fears of a wider regional conflict that could draw in other countries. The escalating tensions come amid ongoing negotiations to revive the Iran nuclear deal and have the potential to further destabilize the already volatile Middle East region.

The United States and other Western allies had urged Israel to avoid a military strike to prevent a regional conflict. However, some members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government called for tougher military action against Iran. In response to the attack on Israel, the U.S. announced new sanctions targeting Iran's missile and drone programs.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian warned that Iran's response to any further Israeli military action would be "immediate and at a maximum level," though Iranian media appeared to downplay the severity of the Israeli strike. Amir-Abdollahian said, "If Israel commits another grave error, Iran's response will be decisive, definitive and regretful for Israel."

The region has been on the edge of wider conflict since the Israel-Hamas war in October, with Israel and Iran-backed groups trading frequent fire. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned Iran's attack on Israel and urged all sides to exercise maximum restraint to prevent the conflict from escalating into a broader regional war.

Key Takeaways

• Israel launched missile strike on Iran, reportedly hitting an air base.
• Iran retaliated with over 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles, 120 ballistic missiles.
• Strikes escalate decades-long shadow war between Israel and Iran.
• Tensions threaten to destabilize Middle East and derail Iran nuclear deal.
• UN urges restraint to prevent conflict from escalating into broader regional war.