Tehran: The relations between Israel and Iran have significantly worsened after Israel conducted a round of air raids to target Iranian facilities following a preceding attack on October 1. So this is the second Israeli attack against Iran over the past six months further underlining the instability in the Middle East.
The operation, dubbed “Days of Reckoning” by Israel, targeted key Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military sites across Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam. The sources indicate that nearly 200 missiles were fired to inflict much damage while some were shot down by Iran’s air defences. Iran has accepted the attacks and admitted that there has been some extent of damage.
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Such airstrikes have raised the global expectation of an Iranian counterattack in the aftermath of these strikes. Iran’s President, Masoud Pezeshkian, convened an emergency meeting and asserted Iran’s right to retaliate, suggesting a potential escalation.
At the same time, the Iranian Air Force has started combat training near the Caspian Sea, during which the IRGC fighter jets performed aerial refuelling. These movements are viewed as provocation followed by the possibility of a retaliatory attack on Israel.
Netanyahu issues strong warning to Iran
The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a very serious warning to the Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, noted that any further aggression, including the missile launches, like those on October 1, will be punished severely. Israel launched three attacks after 2 a.m. The objectives included military targets and facilities of ballistic missiles close to East Tehran.
Such airstrikes have reportedly taken about 90 minutes and have included over 100 Israeli fighter jets attacking critical areas such as drone factories in West Iran.
Israel readies itself for a possible act of reprisal
It is reported that, in preparing for a counterattack, Israel expects the engagements, if any, to be enduring. With reference to the sources that include The Washington Post, the recent strikes are considered as prologue to further operations that will be longer and targeting military and missile sites, together with defence systems. Tactics pertaining to electronic warfare are also said to be under consideration.