Iran’s attack on Israel: What we know so far

Iran fired a barrage of missiles at targets across Israel on Tuesday evening in its biggest attack yet on the country.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement that Tehran fired “dozens of missiles” into Israel, targeting “vital military and security targets.”

It said the attack was in response to Israel’s killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and IRGC commander Abbas Nilforoushan in Beirut, as well as the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July.

Israeli military officials said the attack was “over” and that there was no further threat from Iran “for now.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised that the attack would have “consequences.”

Here’s what we know so far:

What was the aim of the attack?

Iran said the barrage of around 180 projectiles targeted the Mossad intelligence headquarters in Tel Aviv, three air bases and military positions near the Gaza fence, and claimed the rockets hit 90 percent of their targets.

The Israeli military said its forces, working with the US and Britain, intercepted most of the projectiles and that only “few” hits were reported in central and southern parts of the country.

Eyewitnesses reported and footage shared online showed direct attacks on schools and military bases in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, the Negev and other areas.

Pentagon spokesman General Pat Ryder said the scale of the attack was “twice the scale” of Tehran’s attack in April, in which around 300 rockets were fired at Israel.

In Tuesday’s attack, the IRGC claimed to have used hypersonic missiles.

What damage and casualties did the attack cause?

The casualties and damage to infrastructure caused by the attack remain unclear, although the attack appears to have caused more damage than the previous one in April.

U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan described the attack as “significant” but said no deaths or damage had been reported in Israel and concluded the attack was “depressed and ineffective.”

According to the Israeli emergency service, two people were injured by falling shrapnel in Tel Aviv.

AFP also reported, citing city governor Hussein Hamayel, that a man was killed by falling rocket debris in Jericho in the occupied West Bank.

Rockets were reportedly intercepted over Jordan, scattering debris across towns and villages.

Footage circulated online revealed damage and casualties allegedly caused by intercepted missile fragments in areas of Jordan.

One video appeared to show a burning house in Mufraq, while another appeared to show a man lying dead in the street after rocket debris was scattered over Abu Alandah in northern Jordan.

Jordanian government spokesman Mohammad Momani said rocket fragments struck across the kingdom, causing minor injuries.

Jordan has closed its airspace. The Kingdom’s Public Security Directorate said in a statement that “the Royal Jordanian Air Force and air defense systems responded to a number of missiles and drones that entered Jordanian airspace.”

What happens now?

Netanyahu said the attack was a “big mistake” and vowed that Iran would “pay” for it.

Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said Israel was “fully ready to defend itself and retaliate” against the attack “at the place and time we determine.”

White House adviser Jake Sullivan warned that the attack would have “serious consequences” and promised that the US “will work with Israel to achieve this.”

Axios reported Wednesday that Israel is planning a “significant retaliation” that could target Iran’s oil production and nuclear facilities.

“What we did to Lebanon must be done to Iran… no political agreements, no diplomacy – destroy, destroy, destroy.”

– National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir

Several politicians also openly called for a major attack on Iran. Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said it was “a historic moment” to attack Iran.

“Israel now has its greatest opportunity in 50 years to change the face of the Middle East,” he wrote on X.

“We must act *now* to destroy Iran’s nuclear program and its key energy assets and fatally weaken this terrorist regime.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called on Netanyahu to launch a military campaign against Iran, similar to the attack on Lebanon.

“What we did to Lebanon must be done to Iran… no political agreements, no diplomacy – destroy, destroy, destroy,” he said.

Knesset member Avigdor Lieberman also called for an immediate attack on Iran.

“Bomb all the oil, gas and nuclear facilities and destroy the refineries and dams,” he said.

Meanwhile, the IRGC has warned that any Israeli retaliation would be met with an attack of “multiplied intensity.”

The Chief of General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, General Mohammad Bagheri, said: “If the Zionist regime, which has gone mad, is not contained by America and Europe and intends to continue such crimes or do anything against our sovereignty or territorial integrity, [Tuesday’s] The process will be repeated on a much larger scale and we will hit their entire infrastructure.”