On October 1, Iran launched a significant missile attack on Israel, escalating tensions in the Middle East. Approximately 10 million Israelis sought shelter as nearly 200 ballistic missiles were fired, including the Shahab-3, capable of reaching all areas of Israel with a range of 2,000 km.
In addition to the Shahab-3, Iran has other missile types such as the Shahab-1, Fateh, Shahab-2, Zolfaghar, and Qiam-1. However, the Shahab-3 is the only missile with the ability to strike deep inside Israeli territory. Iranian media released footage showing the missile launches, with some targeting Tel Aviv directly.
In response, Israel conducted limited ground operations in Lebanon, targeting the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia. Israel reported intercepting many of the missiles with assistance from U.S. destroyers, while Iran claimed most of its missiles reached their intended targets, although no immediate casualties were reported.
This missile strike comes shortly after a similar attack in April. Iran's extensive ballistic missile arsenal is viewed as a significant threat; a 2021 report from the Missile Threat Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated that Iran possesses thousands of ballistic and cruise missiles of varying ranges.
Iranian media indicated that the Fateh-1 missile, capable of traveling at Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound), was used in the recent assault.
Israel's defense systems, known for their sophistication, faced challenges during the attack. The Arrow system, designed to intercept missiles at high altitudes, has a range of 2,000 to 2,400 km and can reach altitudes of up to 100 km. It is regarded as one of the most advanced missile defense systems globally. Israel also employs the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 systems, developed in collaboration with the U.S., which utilize different interception technologies.
Other systems used to counter the Iranian missiles include the David's Sling, effective up to 300 km and at altitudes of about 15 km. While Israel has a multi-layered missile defense strategy, the Iron Dome, known for intercepting short-range threats, was not deployed during this incident.
Despite the successful interception of many missiles, significant damage occurred mainly at Israeli military bases, with the extent of the damage and the impact details still unclear.
While Israel's nuclear capabilities remain unconfirmed, estimates suggest it possesses around 90 nuclear warheads.
In terms of military capabilities, Israel and Iran differ significantly. Israel has 170,000 active military personnel, 465,000 reserves, and 35,000 paramilitary forces, while Iran boasts a larger active force of 610,000, with 350,000 reserves and 220,000 paramilitary personnel.
Israel operates 612 aircraft, including 241 fighter jets, whereas Iran has 551 aircraft, including 186 fighter jets. Ground forces also differ; Israel has 1,370 tanks and 43,407 armored vehicles, while Iran operates 1,996 tanks and 65,765 armored vehicles.
Naval capabilities also vary, with Israel maintaining five submarines and 45 patrol vessels, while Iran has a more substantial naval presence, including seven frigates and three submarines.
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