New Delhi: In a powerful escalation late Tuesday night, Iran launched a barrage of approximately 200 ballistic missiles aimed at two critical Israeli military bases and the headquarters of Mossad, Israel’s renowned intelligence service. The missile strike, named “Operation True Promise II” by Iran, left a trail of devastation, forcing mass evacuations in residential areas as Israeli citizens sought refuge.
Dramatic footage circulating on social media shows enormous craters and wreckage outside Mossad’s headquarters, with one crater reported to be an astonishing 30 feet deep and 50 feet wide, located just 1,500 meters from Mossad’s head office. The attacks targeted Israel’s Nevatim airbase, Netzarim military facility, and Tel Nof intelligence unit, according to Iran’s Chief of the General Staff, Mohammad Bagheri, in a statement to Press TV.
Strategic Targets: Iran Strikes Israel’s Elite F-35 Base
The Nevatim airbase, which houses Israel’s cutting-edge F-35 fighter jets, was a key focus of the strike. Tehran Times reported that these jets had previously launched an airstrike on Beirut on September 27. Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) employed hypersonic Fatah missiles in the attack, showcasing the precision and range of its aerospace capabilities.
Retaliation for Regional Assassinations: Iranian Justification for Attack
Bagheri emphasized that Iran’s military action was a response to the recent killings of key figures in the region, including Hamas chief Ismail Haniyah, IRGC commander Abbas Nilforoushan, and Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. He stressed that the operation avoided civilian targets, focusing exclusively on military installations in retaliation for what Iran views as acts of aggression.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian defended the missile offensive, stating that it was a legitimate act of self-defense aimed at preserving peace and security in Iran and the broader region. “This action was in defense of the interests and citizens of Iran,” Pezeshkian declared via his social media account.
Mass Celebrations Erupt Across Iran as Missiles Strike Israeli Bases
News of the successful missile strikes sparked celebrations across Iranian cities, where citizens took to the streets waving Iranian, Palestinian, and Lebanese flags in support of the IRGC’s attack. Iran’s state media, Irna, reported widespread public support for the military’s bold actions against Israel.
Israel’s Defense: “Big Mistake” Warns Netanyahu, U.S. Sends Reinforcements
In response to the missile barrage, Israeli officials confirmed that about 180 missiles were fired, with most intercepted by Israel’s advanced defense systems. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu swiftly condemned the attack, warning that Iran had made a “big mistake” and would face consequences. “The Iranian regime does not understand our determination to defend ourselves and take revenge on our enemies,” Netanyahu declared.
As tensions soar, the U.S. military’s Central Command announced it was deploying additional squadrons of F-16, F-15E, and A-10 attack aircraft to the region, with one squadron already arriving to bolster U.S. presence in West Asia.
This confrontation marks one of the most significant escalations between Iran and Israel in recent years, raising fears of further conflict in the volatile region.
