Cliff Notes
- Israel’s Operation Rising Lion targeted key components of Iran’s nuclear programme and military leadership, with a goal to prevent the rapid production of nuclear weapons.
- In retaliation, Iran launched missile strikes against Israel, with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowing to inflict “heavy blows” in response to the Israeli attacks.
- The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is a dominant military force in Iran, overseeing extensive missile programmes and asserting influence over various proxy groups across the Middle East.
What are Iran’s military capabilities – and how much of a threat is it? | World News
Israel’s attack on Iran targeted the “heart” of the country’s nuclear programme – including its facilities, ballistic missile factories, and top military chiefs.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have said that Operation Rising Lion was “pre-emptive”. It was undertaken to stop Iran producing a nuclear weapon “in a very short time”, according to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.
Latest: Israel attacks Iran’s nuclear sites – and Iran responds
The attack came despite warnings from US President Donald Trump – who said intervention could “blow” US nuclear deal talks with Iran, which is believed to be rapidly advancing its nuclear programme.
Iran’s leader vowed to deliver “heavy blows” in response to the attack, and overnight on Friday launched a barrage of missiles at Israel, injuring dozens of people.
But what are Iran’s military capabilities – and to what extent do they pose a significant threat?
Yesterday, Iran launches missiles at central and north Israel. State TV announced Iran had started a new wave of attacks against Israel around 1:30 am (GMT).
The country’s state TV has announced by showing Tel Aviv’s sky and saying Iran has launched a “wide drone attack” on Israel. Then came the second wave of attack which included a ballistic missile, which rocked Israel.
The hypersonic ballistic missile used by Iran on Haifa Israel could not be stopped by Israel’s defence systems and the destruction was substantial.
For a second night, sirens sounded across Israel, as air defences tried to intercept Iranian missiles.
In Tamra in the north of the country – a mainly Palestinian town – a house partially collapsed after being hit.
Hours later, in a second wave of attacks, a building in the central city of Bat Yam was badly damaged. As morning broke, emergency teams were still searching for the missing.
Israel has a lot of fire power, but it doesn’t have the bunker busters needed to target the underground facilities, only America does. But Israel’s gamble is on the verge of turning into a disaster, Israelis always lived under a blanket of security, thinking they were protected, but yesterdays damage has provided them a rude awakening; Iran has the military power to destroy Tel Aviv.
Islrael has incredible power offensively but in defence it does not have the same resilience. Israel is minute in comparison to Iran and if the bombs coming raging in again ver Tel Aviv, Israeli will take to the streets demanding a ceasefire.
That Hypersonic ballistic missile is one of 10 types of hypersonic missiles the Iranians possess and Israel has little or no way of stopping them. If Israel does not find a way to deescalate this conflict, Iran could do obliterate it.
