Israel Vows to Retaliate After Nearly 200 Missiles Fired by Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to retaliate against Iran after it fired approximately 200 ballistic missiles at Israel. The attack, which began around 7:30 p.m. Israel time on Tuesday, has escalated hostilities between the two adversaries, raising fears of a wider all-out war in the Middle East.
The Israeli Defense Forces reported that most of the missiles were intercepted, with only one person killed in the West Bank. The U.S., whose warships helped shoot down the projectiles, also stated that the attack “appears to have been defeated and ineffective.” Despite this, Iran claimed that 90% of the missiles hit their targets, a claim disputed by initial U.S. and Israeli analysis.
Netanyahu described Iran’s actions as a “big mistake” and emphasized that the regime will “pay for it.” The Israeli government is under pressure to respond more forcefully, particularly given the recent escalation of attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. The U.S. has also beefed up its military posture in the region, with the Pentagon announcing plans to send additional troops and fighter jet squadrons to the Middle East.
The situation remains highly volatile, with both sides threatening further action. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has warned of new “crushing” attacks if Israel targets Iranian oil infrastructure or military bases. The European Union has expressed concern over the escalating conflict, noting that successive waves of attacks and retaliations are fueling an uncontrollable spiral of violence.
