Iran's 180 missiles target major Israeli cities, air bases

New Delhi, Oct 2: Iran's missile attack on Israel on Tuesday evening with 180 missiles targeting major Israeli cities including, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and southern regions. Reports said, Iran launched 180 missiles.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the attack was in response to killing of Ismail Haniyeh, Sayyed Nasrallah, and Nilforooshan. It said the attack targeted security and military installations.

The missile barrage triggered emergency sirens and loud explosions in Israel, forcing millions of local citizens into bomb shelters across the main towns as residents received a red signal on their phones, warning of attack.

Many of the residents said that it took them by surprise and dozens of residents crumpled like sardines into the emergency bomb safety bunkers across Tel Aviv.

Videos reveal that two main Israeli air bases were struck during the barrage.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said that that Iran "made a mistake" and "would pay for it."

One Palestinian man in the West Bank was killed due to the shrapnel of a missile after it was intercepted by Israel's defence system.

Infrastructure damage was also reported, including a school in central Israel and a restaurant in Tel Aviv.

While Israel closed its airspace briefly, it has since reopened. The IDF indicated that while Iran’s missiles hit targets, the overall operational capacity of Israel’s air force remained intact, and it would continue airstrikes across West Asia.

This missile strike is seen as Iran’s response to mounting tensions, particularly after Nasrallah’s death. However, experts analysing the attack suggest that despite reports from Iranian media about the use of the Fattah-1 hypersonic missile, evidence points to the use of more conventional weapons like Shahab-3 ballistic missiles.

Trevor Ball, a former US Army ordnance expert, said to CNN that fragments from Shahab-3 variants were identifiable in verified footage of the strikes. The Shahab-3 is known to be a key component of Iran’s missile program, designed with medium-range capabilities.

The White House acknowledged the scale of the attack, calling it “twice as large” as a similar incident in April. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan stated that while the missile barrage was extensive, it appeared “ineffective” due to Israel’s missile defence system, which intercepted many of the incoming threats.

Despite the high number of missiles, the US army's involvement, including firing interceptors, seemed to limit the damage. Sullivan called the situation “fluid” and emphasised that assessments were still ongoing.

In Iran, the missile strike was met with celebration. Crowds in Tehran gathered near the British embassy, waving Hezbullah flags and praising the response to Nasrallah’s death. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is expected to address the nation during Friday prayers.  His sermon will likely outline Iran’s strategy from now on.

Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani defended the missile barrage as a legitimate response to Israeli assassinations of senior Hezbullah and Hamas leaders. He warned that any further Israeli actions would trigger a “decisive” retaliation.

Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon said that Israel’s response to this unprecedented missile attack “will be painful.”

Diplomatic efforts to prevent wider escalation are already underway like the UN and EU demanding for a ceasefire.

On the other hand, western nations have told Tehran that further involvement in the conflict could provoke Israeli strikes on critical Iranian infrastructure, including its nuclear and oil facilities.

These warnings come as Israel ramps up its airstrikes in Beirut, targeting Hezbullah strongholds in response to ongoing threats from Hezbullah, Houthi in Yemen and Hams in Gaza.

As both sides brace for further tense developments, Iran’s latest missile attack has pushed the region to the brink of broader conflict. The question remains whether ongoing diplomatic efforts can prevent a full-scale war.