Early Wednesday, Iran declared that its missile strikes on Israel had concluded, pending no further provocation. However, Israel and the United States vowed to retaliate against Tehran, heightening concerns about an expanding conflict.
The U.S. stated its intent to collaborate with its long-standing ally, Israel, ensuring Iran would face “severe consequences” for Tuesday’s missile assault. Israel reported that the attack involved over 180 ballistic missiles.
In response to the escalating situation, the United Nations Security Council scheduled a meeting to address the Middle East crisis on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the European Union urged an immediate ceasefire.
“We have completed our action unless the Israeli regime invites further retaliation. In that case, our response will be more forceful and intense,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi posted on X (formerly Twitter) early Wednesday.
Simultaneously, Israel resumed heavy bombardment of southern Beirut, targeting Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group. At least a dozen airstrikes hit Hezbollah-held areas, and large clouds of smoke rose from the suburbs. Israel issued additional evacuation orders for the region, which had already seen significant departures following several days of intense bombardment.
Iran’s Largest Attack on Israel to Date
This missile barrage marked Iran’s largest military offensive against Israel in history.
Sirens blared across Israeli cities, and explosions shook areas from Jerusalem to the Jordan River valley, prompting the entire population to seek shelter. Although no injuries were reported within Israel, authorities in the occupied West Bank confirmed that one man had died.
Iran characterized its missile strikes as defensive, claiming the attacks solely targeted Israeli military installations. Iranian state media reported that three Israeli military bases were hit. Tehran justified its actions as a response to Israel’s killing of militant leaders and its aggressive actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon and in the Gaza Strip.
Israel activated its air defense systems, successfully intercepting most of the incoming missiles with the assistance of a U.S.-led defensive coalition. “Iran’s attack represents a serious and dangerous escalation,” Israeli Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a video shared on X, adding that central and southern Israel were the primary targets of the strikes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged strong retaliation, declaring: “Iran made a grave mistake tonight, and it will pay dearly for it.” His comments came during an emergency political security cabinet meeting held late on Tuesday.
Iran Warns of ‘Vast Destruction
In a statement released by Iran’s General Staff of the Armed Forces and carried by state media, Tehran warned that any Israeli response would result in “vast destruction” of Israeli infrastructure. Iran also vowed to target regional assets belonging to any country that aligned itself with Israel.
Tensions in the region have been mounting, as fears grow that Iran and the U.S. could become embroiled in a larger regional war. Israel’s intensifying operations in Lebanon over the past two weeks, including the launch of a ground offensive on Monday, and its ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip have further exacerbated the situation.
In Tuesday’s strikes, Iran reportedly deployed its hypersonic Fattah missiles for the first time. According to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, 90% of the missiles successfully reached their intended targets in Israel.
Rear Admiral Hagari noted that while central and southern Israel had sustained some damage, most of the missile strikes were intercepted. The Israeli military released a video showing significant damage to a school in Gadera, located in central Israel, caused by an Iranian missile.
The U.S. Navy was also involved in intercepting missiles headed towards Israel, firing approximately a dozen interceptors. The Pentagon confirmed that Tuesday’s strikes were twice as large as a previous missile and drone attack by Iran in April. Britain also confirmed its involvement, stating that its forces played a role in “efforts to prevent further escalation,” though no additional details were provided.
U.S. President Joe Biden voiced his unwavering support for Israel, dismissing Iran’s attack as “ineffective.” Vice President Kamala Harris, who is also running as the Democratic candidate for U.S. President, backed Biden’s stance, reaffirming that the U.S. would defend its interests against Iran.
“We will act. Iran will soon face the consequences of its actions. Our response will be painful,” Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon told reporters.
U.S. Warns Iran of Severe Consequences
The White House echoed similar sentiments, warning Iran of “severe consequences.” National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, during a briefing in Washington, stated that the U.S. would work closely with Israel to ensure that Iran is held accountable. Although Sullivan did not detail what those consequences would entail, he made it clear that the U.S. did not urge restraint on Israel. This stance marks a departure from the U.S. position in April, when it had called for moderation following an earlier Iranian attack on Israel.
French President Emmanuel Macron also condemned Iran’s missile strikes on Israel and affirmed France’s commitment to Israel’s security. Macron announced that France had mobilized military resources in the Middle East in response to the crisis. He further called for Hezbollah to cease its attacks on Israel, while also stressing the need for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity to be respected, in accordance with U.N. Security Council resolutions.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell similarly urged an immediate regional ceasefire, warning that the ongoing cycle of attacks and retaliations risked spiraling out of control. “The dangerous cycle of attacks and retaliation risks . spiraling out of control,” he posted on X.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in talks with leaders from Germany and France, also advocated for restraint from all parties, according to a statement from Downing Street.
Lebanon’s Mounting Casualties
As cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continues to escalate, Lebanon has suffered significant casualties. According to Lebanese government statistics released on Tuesday, nearly 1,900 people have been killed and over 9,000 wounded in the fighting, with most of the casualties occurring in the past two weeks. Israel’s intensified strikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon have resulted in large-scale destruction and displacement.
With the situation in the region growing increasingly volatile, international efforts to broker a ceasefire are intensifying. However, the prospect of de-escalation remains uncertain as both Iran and Israel continue to exchange threats, and the involvement of global powers, including the U.S. and its allies, complicates the path to peace.
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