Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) commander, Maj-Gen Hossein Salami, recently ordered the launch of approximately 200 ballistic missiles at Israel in a major military strike, as revealed in a video clip by Iranian media. This attack was described as an act of vengeance for the deaths of prominent figures, including Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, killed in July in Tehran, and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, as well as IRGC Quds Force operations commander Brig-Gen Abbas Nilforoushan, both of whom died in an Israeli airstrike last week.
The IRGC claimed that the missile barrage, which reportedly included Fattah hypersonic missiles, successfully targeted three Israeli airbases and the headquarters of the Mossad spy agency. However, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) asserted that most missiles were intercepted by Israel and a defensive coalition led by the United States, with only a few hits recorded in central and southern Israel.
Following the attack, a provocative banner was displayed in Tehran’s Palestine Square, depicting missiles flying towards structures resembling a Star of David, accompanied by the phrase “The beginning of the end of Zionism.” This escalation comes after a period of restraint from Iranian leaders, who had been under pressure to respond decisively to Israel’s military actions against their allies, particularly Hezbollah.
President Masoud Pezeshkian accused Israel of attempting to provoke Iran into a broader regional conflict, emphasizing Iran’s desire for peace and security. The military attack indicates a shift in Iranian strategy, reflecting growing dissatisfaction among hardline conservatives with the country’s previous inaction.
Iranian leaders have stressed the need to portray strength and resilience in the face of perceived Israeli aggression. In response to the missile strike, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran of severe repercussions, indicating that Israel is preparing for retaliatory actions against strategic sites within Iran.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan of the United States has also cautioned Iran of “severe consequences” for its aggression, further complicating the already tense situation in the region. As Iran braces for potential Israeli retaliation, it remains to be seen whether its gamble will pay off or escalate into a larger conflict.