Israel’s Defenses Stop Nearly Every Missile. Is That Why Iran Keeps Launching Attacks?

Iran launched its second massive barrage of ballistic missiles at Israel on October 1, 2024, as part of a cycle of escalation and retaliation between the two Middle Eastern states. That volley involved between 180 and 200 ballistic missiles, compared to an Iranian attack in April that involved 120 ballistic missiles, 30 cruise missiles, and over 170 kamikaze drones. The attack—allegedly ordered by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei rather than Iran's new president—was Iran's move to save face after a series of crushing blows inflicted by Israel on the Lebanon-based Hezbollah militant group, a close ally of Iran's.

However, Iran's latest barrage could have triggered a full-scale war. Fortunately, it didn't: when Israel retaliated on October 26 with a large air attack involving over 100 aircraft, it refrained from targeting Iran's most sensitive energy and nuclear facilities. That counterstrike did kill five Iranian military personnel.

Iranian leadership may have banked on the assumption that its own attack wouldn't inflict massive casualties due to factors like high failure rates, U.S. and Israeli early warning capability, focus on attacking military targets in less populated areas, and perhaps even counting on Israel and its allies to successfully leverage ballistic missile defense technology to minimize the consequences of the assault.

View in Browser  SHOP EXCLUSIVE SUBSCRIBE Israel's Defenses Stop Nearly Every Missile. Is That Why Iran Keeps Launching Attacks? Israel's Defenses Stop Nearly Every Missile. Is That Why Iran Keeps Launching Attacks? Iran launched its second massive barrage of ballistic missiles at Israel on October 1, 2024, as part of a cycle of escalation and retaliation between the two Middle Eastern states. That volley involved between 180 and 200 ballistic missiles, compared to an Iranian attack in April that involved 120 ballistic missiles, 30 cruise missiles, and over 170 kamikaze drones. The attack—allegedly ordered by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei rather than Iran's new president—was Iran's move to save face after a series of crushing blows inflicted by Israel on the Lebanon-based Hezbollah militant group, a close ally of Iran's. However, Iran's latest barrage could have triggered a full-scale war. Fortunately, it didn't: when Israel retaliated on October 26 with a large air attack involving over 100 aircraft, it refrained from targeting Iran's most sensitive energy and nuclear facilities. That counterstrike did kill five Iranian military personnel. Iranian leadership may have banked on the assumption that its own attack wouldn't inflict massive casualties due to factors like high failure rates, U.S. and Israeli early warning capability, focus on attacking military targets in less populated areas, and perhaps even counting on Israel and its allies to successfully leverage ballistic missile defense technology to minimize the consequences of the assault. Iran launched its second massive barrage of ballistic missiles at Israel on October 1, 2024, as part of a cycle of escalation and retaliation between the two Middle Eastern states. That volley involved between 180 and 200 ballistic missiles, compared to an Iranian attack in April that involved 120 ballistic missiles, 30 cruise missiles, and over 170 kamikaze drones. The attack—allegedly ordered by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei rather than Iran's new president—was Iran's move to save face after a series of crushing blows inflicted by Israel on the Lebanon-based Hezbollah militant group, a close ally of Iran's. However, Iran's latest barrage could have triggered a full-scale war. Fortunately, it didn't: when Israel retaliated on October 26 with a large air attack involving over 100 aircraft, it refrained from targeting Iran's most sensitive energy and nuclear facilities. That counterstrike did kill five Iranian military personnel. Iranian leadership may have banked on the assumption that its own attack wouldn't inflict massive casualties due to factors like high failure rates, U.S. and Israeli early warning capability, focus on attacking military targets in less populated areas, and perhaps even counting on Israel and its allies to successfully leverage ballistic missile defense technology to minimize the consequences of the assault. Read More Read More These Cordless Impact Wrenches Allow For More Mobility These power tools get the job done, wherever it needs doing. Read More These Are the Best Orbital Power Sanders—Cordless and Corded—Tested and Approved Strip weathered exterior paint, remove a finish, smooth a tabletop, and more. Read More New Science Could Save the Maple Syrup Industry From a Sticky Situation A technological revolution has transformed the ancient tradition of sugar making—with big implications for local economies and ecosystems imperiled by climate change. Read More Keep These Framing Nailers in Mind for Your Next Big Building Project Build or renovate a deck, shed, or raised garden bed with these durable and accurate power tools. Read More A Dead Body Was Thrown In a Well 800 Years Ago. Turns Out It Was a Medieval Biological Weapon. Scientists just uncovered the truth behind "Well Man," and proved he was a lot more than just a poor unfortunate soul. Read More Need Assistance? Contact Us. Follow Us Unsubscribe | Privacy Notice | CA Notice at Collection Popular Mechanics is a publication of Hearst Magazines. ©2024 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This email was sent by Hearst Magazines, 300 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019-3779