Iran launched an unprecedented air strike against Israel on Tuesday, marking what experts consider the largest simultaneous ballistic missile attack in history.
According to information from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), at least 180 projectiles were fired towards Israeli territory.
Lourival Sant’Anna, International analyst at CNN highlights the magnitude and intent of the Iranian attack. “This time Iran fired 180 ballistic missiles, which take 12 minutes [para atingir o alvo]. It was an attack, in my reading, with the intention of hitting Israel in a forceful way”, explained Sant’Anna.
The analyst compares this attack with the one that occurred in April, when Iran used a combination of drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles, totaling 320 projectiles. At the time, the Iranian strategy seemed to be more demonstrative than effective, giving Israel time to prepare.
Escalated tensions and Iranian dilemma
The current attack is seen as a response to recent Israeli provocations, including an attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus and the assassination of Ismail Haniye in Tehran. Sant’Anna argues that Israel may be seeking to provoke a direct war with Iran.
For Iran, the decision to retaliate more forcefully is complex. “In the Middle East, leaders who are seen as cowering are not respected,” explains Sant’Anna, highlighting the dilemma faced by the Iranian theocracy, which seeks to balance the need for a response with the risk of an all-out war that could topple the regime.
The Israeli air defense system managed to intercept most of the missiles, although some got through. So far, there is no information about victims resulting from the attack.
The situation remains tense, with former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett advocating a large-scale counterattack targeting Iran’s nuclear and oil infrastructure.
The international community is watching closely, fearing an even greater escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.
This content was originally published in Analysis: Iran launches the largest simultaneous ballistic missile attack in history on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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