Why did Iran launch missiles at Israel? In a major escalation, Iran launched a massive attack on Israel using hundreds of drones and missiles. This strike represents the largest deployment of drone technology ever witnessed, as well as the most extensive missile barrage Iran has ever conducted.
Iran sent lots of drones and missiles straight to Israel because Israel hit the Iranian consulate in Damascus. This was a huge deal in politics and warfare, setting some important new standards.
It was the biggest drone attack any country has ever done, and it was the first time Iran attacked Israel directly in almost fifty years, even though they’ve been enemies for a long time.
Why did Iran launch missiles at Israel? Let’s consider what political, military, and economic factors Iran might have thought about before deciding on the attack. This attack has made people worry more about a bigger war in the region, and it could also change how Israel deals with the situation in Gaza.
The political aspect : Why did Iran launch missiles at Israel?
The IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) named the operation “True Promise” to show that top leaders in Tehran, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, are committed to fulfilling their promises of retaliation for attacks by Israel and others.
The attack was a response to Israel’s April 1 strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, which resulted in the death of seven IRGC members, including two generals responsible for operations in Syria and Lebanon, along with six others.
Why did Iran launch missiles at Israel? The main aim was to bolster Iran’s deterrence, which critics argue had weakened due to increasingly confrontational actions and military strikes by the United States and its allies across the region, particularly following the January 2020 assassination of top general Qassem Soleimani in Iraq.
Iranian officials also seemed to exercise some level of strategic patience following the late December assassination of another top IRGC commander in Syria, Razi Mousavi, in an Israeli air raid amid the aftermath of the conflict in Gaza.
In this context, refraining from action, conducting less significant strikes, or relying solely on military action through aligned groups in the region would be seen as too costly for Iran, both domestically and internationally.
It’s true that Tehran understands Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government might find advantages in escalating tensions in the region, possibly prompting increased US military involvement against Iran.
However, the unprecedented Iranian attacks might have momentarily diverted global attention from the tragic deaths of many women and children in Gaza. Yet, in the long term, they could result in Iran gaining soft power influence in the Muslim world compared to other regional powers.
Saudi Arabia hasn’t dismissed the possibility of normalizing relations with Israel, despite the ongoing violence in Gaza. Turkey only recently began restricting some exports to Israel after the Israeli government rejected its request to deliver aid to the besieged enclave, where starvation is claiming the lives of infants. While both Saudi Arabia and Turkey have strongly criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza, they have not taken decisive action.
Iran could present plausible arguments at the United Nations Security Council, citing violations of the Vienna Convention due to attacks on diplomatic missions. Additionally, Article 51 of the UN Charter supports the “inherent right” of self-defense, which Israel has heavily relied on during the Gaza conflict.
A compilation of initial military achievements by Iran
Why did Iran launch missiles at Israel? Iran has not officially confirmed the exact number of drones, ballistic missiles, or cruise missiles used in the attack on Israel. However, the Israeli military reported that over 300 projectiles were launched.
Iranian drones have been making headlines globally, particularly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine over two years ago. Ukrainian officials report ongoing incursions by Iranian-designed Shahed drones operated by the Russian military.
Iranian state television stated that Shahed-136 kamikaze drones, equipped with a relatively small 50kg (110 pounds) warhead, were utilized in the attack on Israel. Telegram channels linked to the IRGC indicated the use of the Shahed-238 model, which features a turbojet engine instead of the propeller found on the 136 model. While the 238 model sacrifices some maneuverability, it boasts significantly higher speeds, reaching up to 600kmph (372mph).
Iran has long been recognized for possessing the largest and most diverse missile arsenal in the Middle East. However, this recent attack represents the most substantial demonstration of its capabilities to date.
State television reported that the Emad long-range ballistic missile and the Paveh cruise missile were employed in the attack on Israel.
During extensive military drills in February, which involved simulating an assault on the Palmachim airbase in Israel, the IRGC utilized Emad missiles and launched the Dezful ballistic missile from a warship.
Iran also possesses the Fattah, a hypersonic ballistic missile capable of reaching Israel in as little as seven minutes, along with a cruise missile variant of the same family. However, there is no indication that these missiles were used in the attacks on Sunday.
Iran has just carried out its largest-ever drone and missile strikes in a complex series of attacks spanning several hours. These strikes covered some of the longest distances ever achieved in a real military operation.
IRGC commander-in-chief Hossein Salami stated that the operation surpassed expectations in terms of success. He noted that the projectiles specifically targeted military installations, including the Nevatim airbase in the Negev desert, which was allegedly involved in launching Israeli strikes on the Iranian consulate in Syria.
How does this impact the economy?
Why did Iran launch missiles at Israel? The impact of the significant attacks on the already struggling Iranian economy was probably less significant than the political and military factors considered by Iranian leaders as they strategized the offensive nearly two weeks after the consulate incident.
As anticipated, there was an immediate response in local markets, with foreign currencies gaining value due to increasing concerns about the conflict potentially escalating into a regional war.
Iran’s national currency, the rial, plummeted to a new record low of approximately 670,000 per US dollar on Sunday before partially recovering.
According to the semiofficial Tasnim news website, Tehran and other markets are experiencing minimal currency and gold transactions as caution prevails.
The Tehran prosecutor’s office announced on Sunday the initiation of a case against an unidentified journalist and the Jahan-e Sanat newspaper they are associated with, citing charges of “disturbing the psychological security of society and disrupting the economic environment of the country.”
Iran retaliated for an Israeli strike on Iranian officials in Syria by launching a massive missile and drone attack. This was likely to deter future attacks, appease Iranian citizens, and gain regional influence. The unprecedented attack could further strain Iran’s economy.