Israeli forces struck Iranian air defence facilities, missiles and air bases, as well as several oil and gas refineries on October 26.
Three weeks after Tehran launched a barrage of over 180 ballistic missiles targeting Israeli air bases. But how much damage was actually caused? The full extent of damage remains unknown. However, satellite images and Western media reports, and think tanks help draw a vivid comparison of the confrontation. At least 12 Iranian facilities were hit by bombs and missiles deployed by the Israeli Air Force (IAF), as per the ISW (Institute of Study of War) report.
Among the sites targeted were missile bases in Falagh, Shaid Ghadiri, Abdol Fath, and the Khojir Rocket Motor Casting Facility, as well as military complexes in Parchin, Parand near Tehran, and the Shahroud missile testing facility.
Israeli fighter jets also struck a facility near Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran and oil installations at the Bandar Imam Petrochemical Complex, Abadan, and Tang-e Bijar.
Initially, the Iranian media sought to downplay the impact of the strikes. However, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, later stated that the attack should neither be understated nor exaggerated.
Satellite imagery of the targeted sites in Iran suggests that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heeded the advice of his allies, yet the locations of the strikes signal that Israel is capable of hitting precision targets should the escalation continue.
COMPARING ISRAEL’S RESPONSE WITH IRAN’S ATTACK
On October 1, Iran launched around 180 ballistic missiles on Israel in retaliation for the killing of leaders of its proxy in Lebanon. Israel claimed that most of these missiles were intercepted by its defence systems and those of its allies, with the remainder landing in open fields, civilian areas, and commercial zones, causing damage to at least one air base. Additionally, one missile reportedly fell near the headquarters of Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency.
In retaliation, Israel deployed over 100 advanced fighter jets, including those flown by female pilots, along with refuelling and surveillance aircraft. The strikes occurred in multiple waves over several hours, with none of the jets being shot down or damaged.
Iran has confirmed that at least four individuals were killed in the Israeli strikes, while the sole casualty from Iran’s missile attack was reportedly a Palestinian in the West Bank.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Iranian leaders have asserted their right to respond to Israel’s aerial attack, albeit in measured terms.
The prevailing belief is that Iran will not let the attacks go unanswered. A plausible course of action could involve another series of missile strikes similar to those it has launched twice this year. Such a response would allow Iran’s leadership to project strength to its domestic audience and to allied groups like Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Alternatively, Iran may choose to refrain from attacking Israel directly, as this could expose its vulnerabilities and provoke even stronger Israeli responses.
At this stage, it is too early to predict the course that Iran’s leadership will ultimately take.