Israel launched three waves of airstrikes against key Iranian missile sites last night.

Why did they launch the attack?

April 2024

As early as April 1, the Israelis carried out an airstrike in Damascus, Syria, targeting two generals and seven members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The strike flattened the Iranian consulate in the city, prompting condemnation as it was a diplomatic site, which is usually off-limits.

Two weeks later in response, more than 170 explosive drones and 120 ballistic missiles were fired by Iran, with “only a few” entering Israel and “99%” being intercepted by its defense systems, according to the IDF.

About 30 cruise missiles were fired, 25 of which were intercepted outside Israel’s borders, the military said, adding that “dozens of rockets” were then fired from Lebanon and hit Nevatim Air Base, where there was only “minor damage to infrastructure.”

There were no reported deaths, but a seven-year-old girl was “severely injured by shrapnel”.

A coalition that included the United States, Britain, and France assembled to defend Israel against the attack, and only limited damage was caused to an Israeli airbase.

There the direct exchanges of fire ended – for the time being.

October 2024

On September 30, Israel launched a ground operation into Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure, after assassinating its leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

Hezbollah, a proxy for Iran, had been firing missiles at Israel since the day after the October 7 Hamas attacks.

In response to the ground incursion, Iran launched a barrage of nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, causing some damage.

Israel vowed there would be consequences for the attack, with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu saying: “Iran made a big mistake tonight – and it will pay for it.”

The promised retaliation came this evening, with attacks on missile facilities in three Iranian provinces.