Iran launched numerous missiles against Israel Tuesday in a barrage of strikes it states are in response to the deaths of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) warned citizens to follow instructions from the Home Front Command and shelter in place as the Jewish State’s Iron Dome anti-missile defense system works to intercept incoming rockets.
“During the defense, we carried out quite a few interceptions,” said Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, IDF spokesman, after the attack concluded. “There are some impacts in the center and areas in the south of the country.”
Hagari said officials “are unaware of casualties,” although Israel is still assessing the Iranian attack.
A U.S. defense official said in a statement that American forces in the region were defending against the onslaught of Iranian missiles against Israel.
“In accordance with our ironclad commitment to Israel’s security, U.S. forces in the region are currently defending against Iranian-launched missiles targeting Israel,” said the official. “Our forces remain postured to provide additional defensive support and to protect U.S. forces operating in the region.”
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the most recent missile barrage is in retaliation for the killing of Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah leader, in Beirut, Lebanon, in an airstrike by Israel late last week and the July killing of Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas leader.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard issued a warning in the statement released by Iranian state media that Israel will “face crushing attacks” if it responds to the missile attack.
A White House senior official said earlier Tuesday morning that Iran was preparing to “imminently” launch an attack on Israel with ballistic missiles. The move comes after weeks of strikes by Israel against Tehran’s regional proxies.
“The United States had indications that Iran is preparing to imminently launch a ballistic missile attack against Israel,” said the official. “We are actively supporting defensive preparations to defend Israel against this attack. A direct military attack from Iran against Israel will carry severe consequences for Iran.”
Attack by Iran now “imminent”
Another American official said that Iran could launch its attack as soon as Tuesday afternoon, stating the U.S. has seen additional missile movement in Iran to prepare for the attack that is now “imminent.”
The official added that Iran’s attack could resemble the one it launched in April against Israel, which had over 300 drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles.
Although the official didn’t know what the exact size or scope would be, the official said that Iran has been in a state of readiness to attack Israel within 12 to 24 hours since the beginning of August after the July 31 assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas leader, in Tehran.
Iran previously launched an unprecedented direct attack on Israel in April. However, the proxies of the regime, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, have traded attacks with Israel since the Israel-Hamas war started on October 7.
Tuesday, Israel was starting a limited ground invasion against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.
Previously, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called Nasrallah “the flag-bearers of resistance” in the area.
“The blood of the martyr shall not go unavenged,” said Khamenei after Nasrallah was killed late last week by an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, Lebanon, according to Reuters.
An aircraft carrier is positioned in the Gulf of Oman along with three U.S. Navy destroyers in the Mediterranean Sea and fighter jets scattered throughout the region to assist Israel in the event Iran attacks them. All are capable of shooting down missiles that are incoming.
In the meantime, the American State Department announced Tuesday that sanctions are being imposed on a “violent extremist group” and two Israelis in the West Bank as Iran continues to strike the Jewish State.
