Sunday, 22 December 2024

Iran Launches Ballistic Missile Attack Against Israel, Bibi Says Jewish State 'Facing Challenging Times as It Battles Iran’s Axis of Evil'

Free Beacon
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Iranian missiles intercepted by Israel above Jerusalem on Tuesday. (Menahem Kahana/AFP/Getty Images)

Iran has launched a major ballistic missile strike on Israel, with American forces mobilizing to defend the Jewish state from an onslaught by Tehran and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning of "challenging times" amid a battle against "Iran's axis of evil."

The Iranian attack includes sophisticated ballistic missiles, which can reach Israel in just 12 minutes, similar to Tehran’s unprecedented strike on Israel in April after Israel assassinated two Iranian generals in Syria.

Air raid sirens blared Tuesday all the way from northern towns near Haifa to the southern desert city of Beersheva. Iranian state media said it has fired more than 400 missiles so far.

Tel Aviv, Israel's largest city, was directly targeted in the attack, with explosions lighting up the night sky as Israel's Iron Dome defense system struggled to destroy all missiles before they hit the ground. At least one is believed to have landed near Tel Aviv, while videos show many more striking land.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a video statement Tuesday, calling on the Israeli public to "stand together" amid "challenging times."

"We are in the midst of a campaign against Iran's axis of evil," he said. "I said yesterday that these are days of great achievements and great challenges," Netanyahu added, referencing Israel's killing last week of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

The United States is said to have privately warned Israel early Tuesday of "Iranian preparations to fire missiles at Israel imminently." A senior White House official said in a statement sent to the Washington Free Beacon that it is "actively supporting defensive preparations to defend Israel against this attack."

"A direct military attack from Iran against Israel will carry severe consequences for Iran," the official said.

Across Tehran, senior officials and government leaders have been promising a brutal response to the killing late last week of Hezbollah leader Nasrallah.

The chief commander of Iran’s army warned Israel to "be ready" for a missile barrage, saying that Nasrallah’s "blood will definitely destroy the Zionist regime and its masters."

The Pentagon reportedly increased the number of American warplanes in the region ahead of Iran's strike. These planes were pivotal in shooting down Iranian missiles during April's attack and will play a central role in any upcoming strike. The Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier is also in the region, giving the United States a "substantial naval force" as the USS Harry S. Truman carrier also moves into the region, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The Marines have also deployed an Amphibious Ready Group consisting of around 2,200 troops to the Mediterranean, and the Pentagon promises more assets if needed.

While Israel, with major assistance from the United States and other Western allies, successfully fended off an attack from Iran in April, this time Tehran could "up the ante," according to regional analysts.

"Despite the poor showing back in April, another missile barrage would be aimed at restoring the regime’s deterrence and prestige which is in shatters now after the death of Hassan Nasrallah and dismantling of Hezbollah military and political leadership," said Behnam Ben-Taleblu, an Iran analyst as the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank.

Iran has at its disposal "several classes of solid and liquid propellant medium-range ballistic missiles, many of which it did not employ in its April strike on Israel," Ben-Taleblu said. "Another Iranian missile attack on Israel could easily put the region's military conflict on steroids."

Though Israel’s air defenses are ranked the best in the region, Iran could put significant strain on the system by combining ballistic missiles with drones and cruise missiles, likely guaranteeing that a portion make contact with the Jewish state.

"Another layered attack that marries ballistic missiles with drones and cruise missiles as well as multi-directional proxy fire will require remarkable fortitude by Israel," Ben-Taleblu said.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Published under: Iran , Israel , Military , Missile Defense , White House


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