Downward Angle Icon An icon in the shape of a downward angle. The photo, published by the official Iranian Ministry of Defense website on Sunday, October 11, 2015, claims to be of an Emad long-range ballistic surface-to-surface missile fired at an undisclosed location. Iranian Ministry of Defense, via Associated Press Iran’s attack on Israel last weekend resulted in at least one ballistic missile hitting an Israeli air base. The IDF said there was minimal damage to facilities housing F-35 fighter jets. Weeks before the attack, Iran attacked a mock Israeli air base where it was conducting training with a ballistic missile.
Weeks before launching an unprecedented attack on Israel, Iran was training to blow up an Israeli air force base housing F-35 fighter jets with a ballistic missile.
Iran and its proxy militias attacked Israel on Saturday with more than 300 unmanned attack drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. Air defenses have achieved major successes, with nearly all enemy threats across the Middle East thwarted by Israeli and partner forces, including the U.S. military.
Several of the 120 ballistic missiles fired evaded Israel’s air defenses, including advanced Arrow 2 and 3 systems, and entered Israeli territory.
The Israel Defense Forces said at least one shell landed at Nevatim Air Base, which hosts F-35 stealth fighter jets, causing minor damage to infrastructure near the base’s runway and affecting base functionality. It was announced that there was no such thing.
Israeli Air Force F-35 Lightning “Adir” fighter jets land at a location designated as Nevatim Air Base after completing an air defense mission in Israel. This screen was taken from the handout video released on April 14, 2024.Israel Defense Forces/Handout via Reuters
Israeli Defense Forces spokesman Maj. Gen. Daniel Hagari said on Sunday that “Iran had hoped to neutralize the base and undermine our aviation capabilities, but they failed,” adding, “Air Force aircraft continued to take off and land from the base and were unable to reach their destination. I’m leaving for,” he added. offensive and defensive missions. ”
Iran made no secret of its intention to attack Israeli F-35 bases ahead of Saturday’s barrage.
In mid-February, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired two long-range missiles at a target “reflecting the characteristics and circumstances” of Israel’s Palmachim Air Base, according to the semiofficial Tasnim news agency affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards. Launched a ballistic missile.
The report said Palmachim, just south of Tel Aviv, was chosen as a mock target because it is the main base for deploying Israel’s F-35s and because Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had conducted a preliminary attack from the airfield. He claimed that it was because of his remarks.
Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) soldiers walk next to Iran’s Emad surface-to-surface missile in downtown Tehran during a rally to commemorate International Quds Day, also known as Jerusalem Day, April 29, 2022. Photography: Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto (via Getty Images)
Iranian state media said the mock air base built in the Iranian desert is three times smaller than the actual facility. The Revolutionary Guards claimed to have “successfully” hit mock targets with Emad and Qadr ballistic missiles with modified structures and improved warheads.
According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank, both missiles are derivatives of Iran’s Shahab-3 medium-range ballistic missile. They were identified by open source intelligence accounts on social media and missile experts as being involved in Saturday’s barrage.
Iran’s mock attack on an Israeli air base was presented as a success domestically, although the actual attack last weekend was ineffective, according to an expert report.
“What turned out to be a disastrous military failure, and the first time Israel’s incredible air defenses have been demonstrated on this scale, is being passed off as a success in Iran, with misinformation being deliberately spread. ” said Royal Research Fellow Urban Conyngham. The think tank United Services Institute made the announcement on Monday.
Damage caused by a missile strike on an Israeli air base. I.D.F.
“Indeed, there are reports and images circulating on social media in Farsi and Arabic that fabricate the events of Sunday morning, when an Israeli air base was completely reduced to rubble,” Conyngham said in his analysis.
However, videos and photos from Nevatim reveal that damage to the air base is minimal as fighter jets continue operations there.
Saturday’s massive barrage was historic in that it was the first-ever direct attack on Israel from Iranian territory. Prior to this, the Iranian government had facilitated military action against Israel through a robust network of proxy forces across the Middle East.
The attack comes less than two weeks after Israel attacked Iranian diplomatic facilities in Syria earlier this month, killing several military personnel, including two Revolutionary Guards generals. The Iranian government vowed retaliation and stoked fear across the region in preparation for possible retaliation. Saturday’s response was widely condemned internationally.
Meanwhile, tensions persist in the Middle East as it remains unclear whether Israel will retaliate against the Iranian attack.
