Iran-Israel: Hours after Iran launched a massive missile strike on Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed swift retaliation, stating, “Iran made a big mistake tonight, and it will pay for it.” Netanyahus declaration came after he convened an urgent Security Cabinet meeting late Tuesday night.Escalating Conflict Threatens Regional StabilityOn Tuesday evening, Iran fired nearly 200 missiles into Israel, marking the latest escalation in the protracted conflict between Israel, Iran, and its Arab allies. The attack risks pushing the Middle East closer to a broader regional war. The night sky over Israel lit up with missile fire, while air raid sirens blared, forcing residents to seek shelter in bomb shelters.By early Wednesday, Iran declared the missile attack complete, barring further provocation. Meanwhile, the US vowed to retaliate if the situation escalates further, stoking fears of a wider conflict.Iran Defends Action as Retaliation for Targeted KillingsIrans state television aired a statement claiming the missiles targeted Israeli air and radar bases and security forces involved in the killing of senior Hamas and Hezbollah officials. Iran also insisted that the missile strikes were justified under international law as acts of self-defense.Global and Local ResponsesNetanyahu called the missile strike a failure, promising Iran would learn a painful lesson similar to other enemies in Gaza and Lebanon. Whoever attacks us, we attack them, he said. Israeli military officials confirmed that many of the missiles had been intercepted, while Washington reported that US destroyers played a role in Israels defense efforts.Iran, however, claimed that 90% of its missiles successfully hit their targets, with televised images showing celebrations across Iranian cities like Tehran, Qom, and Arak.Further Threats and International AttentionIrans military chief, General Mohammad Bagheri, warned that any further Israeli action would lead to strikes on Israels infrastructure, adding that the Revolutionary Guard was prepared to launch even more powerful attacks. Despite this, Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari reported no significant injuries from the strikes.In a separate statement, the Israeli government confirmed only one fatality, a Palestinian man in Jericho. US President Joe Biden expressed strong support for Israel, stating that his administration was actively discussing an appropriate response to the Iranian aggression.The United Nations Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting to address the escalating crisis, convening on Wednesday morning at the request of France and Israel.
