JERUSALEM — Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday, sparking alarms and explosions across the country in a dramatic escalation of the regional conflict.
The attack, which Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards said involved “tens of missiles,” came in retaliation for Israel’s recent campaign against Tehran’s Hezbollah allies in neighboring Lebanon.
Israelis rushed to bomb shelters as the missiles rained down, with reporters on state television even seen taking cover during live broadcasts. The Israeli military said the country’s airspace had been closed in response to the attack.
“If Israel retaliates, our response will be more crushing and ruinous,” a senior Iranian official warned, underscoring the high stakes involved.
The barrages were ordered directly by Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who remains in a secure location, according to the official. Journalists witnessed some of the Iranian missiles being intercepted over the skies of neighboring Jordan.
Israeli army radio reported that nearly 200 missiles had been fired into the country, with the military previously warning the public to expect a widespread attack.
The missile strikes followed recent Israeli ground raids into Lebanon as well as airstrikes, in what Israel has described as a limited campaign. However, the hostilities represent the biggest regional flare-up since the fighting in Gaza a year ago.
In Washington, President Joe Biden pledged that the United States would assist Israel in defending itself against the Iranian missile onslaught.
The dramatic events mark a dangerous new chapter in the long-running conflict between Israel and Iran and its regional proxies. With both sides threatening harsh retaliation, the situation remains highly volatile and the potential for further escalation ever-present.
