In a powerful show of force, Israel has launched a coordinated aerial assault on 20 Iranian military targets, deploying 100 fighter jets in a three-wave operation across Iranian airspace.
The strikes, named ‘Operation Days of Repentance’, come amid escalating hostilities after Iran reportedly launched 200 ballistic missiles towards Israel in early October.
According to Israeli sources, the strikes targeted missile and drone facilities and strictly avoided nuclear or oil infrastructure to prevent a wider escalation.
Precision Strikes on Iranian Targets
The Israeli Air Force deployed its cutting-edge F-35 Adir fifth-generation stealth fighters, F-15I Ra'am ground-attack jets, and F-16I Sufa air-defence fighters. The mission, covering approximately 2,000 kilometres, aimed at Iranian military installations believed to support regional proxy groups.
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Israel utilised its advanced 'Rampage' supersonic long-range missiles and the 'Rocks' extended stand-off air-to-surface missiles, both known for their high precision. Each wave involved 25-30 aircraft, with around 10 jets conducting missile strikes while the remainder provided cover and diversion.
Three Waves of Strikes
The first wave, directed at Iran’s radar and air-defence installations, aimed to disable Iranian defensive capabilities, paving the way for successive waves. The second and third waves focused on targeting missile and drone facilities.
The timing of the strike was reportedly delayed due to unfavourable weather conditions, as the precision weapons used require clear weather to maximise accuracy through camera-seeking technology.
International Tensions Escalate
This latest action follows the recent killing of prominent leaders within Hezbollah and Hamas, both known Iranian-backed entities, and has led to heightened military vigilance across the region. Israeli and US air defences were placed on high alert during the operation to counter any retaliatory strikes.
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Iranian Response and Regional Fallout
In response, Iran claimed that its air defences successfully mitigated the impact of the strikes, reporting only minor damage in the regions of Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam. Both Iran and Iraq subsequently closed their airspace in anticipation of further military actions.
With tensions already at a boiling point, this latest development has raised fears of a broader regional conflict.
The United Nations has urged restraint on both sides, while diplomatic channels remain open, albeit strained, between regional powers and their global allies.