Israel-Iran war: The longstanding rivalry between Israel and Iran reached new heights on Saturday as Israel launched airstrikes targeting Iranian military installations. This latest escalation follows Irans missile attacks on Israel earlier this month, signaling a potential all-out conflict in an already volatile Middle Eastern region.Explosions and rising tensions in TehranExplosions were reported in Tehran as Iranian air defense systems countered incoming Israeli missiles, though officials have yet to confirm any casualties. The strikes follow Israels October 1 vow to retaliate against Iran for its earlier missile barrage, with Israeli leaders asserting they would respond at “a time and place” of their choosing.This dangerous escalation intensifies concerns that the ongoing hostilities between Iran-backed militant groups like Hamas and Hezbollah could deepen into a broader regional conflict.Irans advanced missile capabilitiesIrans missile arsenal is vast, with thousands of ballistic and cruise missiles, as documented in a 2021 report by the Missile Threat Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Iran possesses over 3,000 ballistic missiles, according to US Air Force General Kenneth McKenzie. These missiles are capable of high-altitude trajectories, separating warheads before reentry to strike targeted areas.The recent October 1 attack on Israel involved Shahab-3 ballistic missiles, a central component of Irans medium-range arsenal, first introduced in 2003. This missile, and its Ghadr and Emad variants, can strike with high accuracy within 300 meters. Irans newer Fattah-1 “hypersonic” missile also poses a significant threat, traveling at Mach 5 and capable of reaching speeds up to 6,100 km per hour over a 300 km range.Israels arsenal and multi-layered defense systemIsrael has developed a sophisticated missile arsenal that includes the Jericho-3, with an extensive range of up to 6,500 km. Israels multi-tiered defense strategy encompasses systems designed to intercept a wide range of threats, from low-altitude cruise missiles to high-altitude ballistic missiles.Israels Iron Dome remains its most recognized defense system, aimed at intercepting rockets and artillery. For higher-level threats, Davids Sling intercepts short- and medium-range missiles, while the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 systems intercept ballistic missiles during their final descent, with joint US-Israel support ensuring their effectiveness.
