What we know about Israel's attack on Iran

Israel has carried out its retaliatory strike on Iran, which has been expected for weeks. An overview of the current situation:

Why did Israel attack Iran?

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards, the country's elite military force, fired around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel on October 1. The attack followed a series of targeted killings by Israel aimed at key players in Iran's network of non-state allies such as the Lebanese Hezbollah militia and the Islamist Hamas. Israel then announced its intention to retaliate. "Like any other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and the duty to respond," declared the Israeli military. The retaliation, dubbed the "Days of Repentance", began on Saturday night during the Jewish Sabbath day of rest. The high Jewish holiday ended on Thursday evening.

How will Iran react now?

It is still unclear whether and how the Islamic Republic will govern. The country's military is ready for another counterattack. "There is no doubt that Israel will receive an appropriate response to any action," the Iranian news agency Tasnim quoted an anonymous source from the state. Tasnim is considered the mouthpiece of the Revolutionary Guards, Iran's elite military force. In recent days, it has repeatedly emphasized its intention to respond decisively to an Israeli attack.

Iran could fire up to 1,000 ballistic missiles at Israel, expand attacks by allied militias in the region and disrupt shipping traffic in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari warned Iran against further escalation. "If the regime in Iran makes the mistake of initiating a new round of escalation, we are obliged to respond," he said in the morning.

The USA assured Israel of its support. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a telephone call with his Israeli counterpart Joav Galant that the USA had strengthened its armed forces to protect US personnel, Israel and its partners in the region. The USA, as Israel's most important ally, is determined to "prevent any actor from exploiting tensions or escalating the conflict in the region". The USA had previously stationed an additional battery of the THAAD missile defense system in Israel. The USA had already deployed a battery of the system in the region last year.

How did Israel's counterattack go?

According to the Israeli military, fighter jets attacked missile production facilities in Iran, around 1500 kilometers away, during the night. Surface-to-air missile sites and other Iranian air defense systems were also attacked. According to Israeli media, hundreds of fighter jets and missiles were involved. Iranian media initially reported "limited damage" to military bases. According to the Tasnim news agency, air defenses were activated in the capital Tehran and the provinces of Khuzestan and Ilam, among others. More detailed information was not initially available. There have also been no reports of casualties so far. After around five hours, the Israeli army announced that the "mission" was over in the morning.

Was the US ally involved?

According to US media, the American armed forces in the region were not involved in the attack. However, Israel had informed its most important ally in advance. However, it is not known how far in advance the USA knew that the attack was imminent. The question of whether Israel had passed on the intended targets was also unclear. According to Israeli media reports, the cabinet had authorized the retaliatory strike shortly before the attack.

What is the situation in Israel?

According to an Israeli army spokesperson, there are currently no special instructions from the civil defense. Defensive and offensive capabilities are fully mobilized, the military explained. "We will do everything necessary to defend the State of Israel and the Israeli people."