Why Did Israel Strike Iran?
Israel conducted overnight airstrikes on Iran, targeting sites identified as “military assets” in what appeared to be a long-anticipated retaliatory move. The strikes came in response to an Iranian missile attack on Israel at the beginning of October. Israel had vowed to retaliate but had kept the timing and scale of its response uncertain until now.
Background on Iran’s Attack:
On October 1, Iran launched over 180 missiles at Israel. While most were intercepted by Israeli and U.S.-led defenses, some reached their targets, including air bases and other military sites. Though damages were limited, one Palestinian was reportedly killed by missile debris. Iran described its missile launch as revenge for the deaths of prominent figures in Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iran’s elite military force.
Why Did Iran Attack?
Iran stated its October attack was retaliation for the killing of top leaders from Hezbollah and Hamas and a senior Iranian military commander. On September 27, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Iranian General Abbas Nilforoushan were killed in an Israeli strike on a building in Beirut. Another attack months earlier in Damascus targeted Iranian military officials, further straining Israel-Iran relations. The cycle of aggression between the two escalated from there, leading to the recent Israeli retaliation.
A History of Hostility:
The enmity between Israel and Iran has deep roots. Their conflict intensified post-1979, when Iran’s Islamic Revolution ushered in a regime sharply opposed to Israel’s existence. The two nations have waged a covert “shadow war” for years, targeting each other’s interests across the region without overtly acknowledging responsibility. With Iran supporting groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, Israel considers Iran’s military and nuclear aspirations a significant threat.
Military Strength and Nuclear Stances:
Israel’s air force, one of the world’s most advanced, gives it a strategic advantage, with squadrons of F-15s, F-16s, and F-35 stealth fighters capable of striking far beyond its borders. Iran, on the other hand, has developed a vast missile and drone arsenal but lacks advanced air defenses and modern fighter jets. Iran denies having nuclear ambitions, though many Western states suspect it of pursuing nuclear weapons. While Israel neither confirms nor denies possessing nuclear arms, it is widely believed to maintain a nuclear arsenal.
Iran’s Allies:
Iran has built a network of regional allies, referred to as the “axis of resistance,” which opposes U.S. and Israeli influence. Its key allies include Syria and Russia, along with Hezbollah in Lebanon, various Iraqi militias, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and Palestinian armed groups like Hamas. These groups often act as Iran’s proxies, engaging in attacks that contribute to the complex, ongoing conflicts in the region.
