Iranian Israeli Conflict Escalates with Missile Strikes
The Iranian Israeli conflict has raised concerns about the potential for further escalation, with both sides dug in and refusing to back down. As the situation continues to unfold, analysts are warning of a potentially prolonged and devastating conflict that could draw in other regional players.
Iran has launched a series of missile strikes against Israel, resulting in at least 13 deaths and hundreds of injuries, in retaliation for Israel's Operation Rising Lion, which targeted Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure, killing over 240 people.
The Iranian missile strikes have managed to breach Israel's advanced air-defence systems, including the Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow 2 and 3, with some missiles hitting central Tel Aviv and cities in the north. Israel's operation has significantly disrupted Iran's nuclear program, but the extent of the damage is still unclear. Analysts note that Israel lacks the capability to destroy deep underground facilities, which may limit the effectiveness of its strikes.
Iran's retaliatory strikes have been limited so far, with analysts suggesting that the country may struggle to sustain a prolonged conflict. Iran possesses an estimated 3,000 ballistic missiles, including long-range missiles, short-range rockets, and potential hypersonic weapons. However, Israel's air-defence systems have been effective in intercepting most projectiles, which may reduce the impact of Iran's missile strikes.
The conflict between Iran and Israel is unlikely to end soon, with Iran vowing to respond "heavier and more extensively" if Israel continues its hostilities. The international community is watching the situation closely, as the escalation of the conflict could have significant regional and global implications.