IranTroubled Areas

Israel Strikes Iran: Complete Debriefing

Published on: October 26, 2024 at 9:35 AM
David Cenciotti David Cenciotti
Israel strikes Iran
Israeli Air Force F-35I taking off at dusk (Image credit: IAF)

Everything You Need to Know About Last Night’s Israeli Attack on Iran.

Israel launched direct strikes against Iran during the night between Friday, Oct. 25, and Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in a major counterattack following Tehran’s ballistic missile offensive earlier in the month. With concerns mounting that long-standing tensions between these two military powers could escalate into a full-scale regional conflict, here’s a complete recap of how the operation unfolded.

Contents
Everything You Need to Know About Last Night’s Israeli Attack on Iran.SummaryMore in details

Summary

The Israeli military reported hitting “precise” military targets in Iran, while Iranian state media shared reports of multiple explosions. Israeli sources clarified that these strikes didn’t target any energy facilities. Iranian state media stated that military sites in three provinces (Tehran, Ilam, and Khuzestan) were impacted, though it claimed that its air defenses kept the damage “limited.” Israeli officials noted that this strike on Iran’s military assets involved also F-35I Adir stealth aircraft and came after weeks of intense discussions in Israel’s security cabinet, considering both the timing and extent of the response.

More in details

In the early hours of Saturday, just after 2 a.m Local Time., Tehran and several nearby military installations were rocked by explosions lasting for hours, as Israeli forces launched direct strikes against Iran. Israeli state broadcasters later confirmed that three waves of attacks had been carried out before dawn, officially concluding the operation. In particular, the second and third waves targeted Iranian drone and missile production sites.

Over 100 aircraft were involved in the 2000-km raid, including the F-35I Adir stealth fighters and drones, according to Israeli media reports. While the U.S. was notified ahead of the strikes in Iran but was not involved in the operation.

The attack was declared over by 5:45 a.m Israeli Time (6:15 a.m. Iran Standard Time), just as the sun began rising over Tehran.

While specific details about the air strike are still sparse beyond the official statements, it seems highly probable that the initial wave involved a combination of unmanned aircraft and stand-off precision-guided munitions, complemented by robust Electronic Warfare and Cyber capabilities, both areas where Israel has consistently demonstrated high proficiency in previous operations. Leveraging these non-kinetic capabilities would have effectively neutralized or “blinded” Iranian air defenses, allowing Israeli assets a broader operational window and greater freedom to navigate Iranian airspace to strike their targets with minimal risk. Additionally, given the sophistication of these tactics, it’s possible that the strike may not have required deep penetration into Iranian airspace, relying instead on precision strikes from safe distances.

Iran downplayed the attack with Iranian officials stating that their air defenses successfully intercepted some of Israel’s strikes on military targets located in the provinces of Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam. According to Iranian sources, they managed to keep damage relatively minor despite the scale of the operation.

However, even though Iranian media is working hard to maintain an image of normalcy, the effects on both nations are unmistakable, with this latest attack marking the first time since the Iran-Iraq War that Tehran has been struck directly, posing a real challenge to the regime’s claims.

In announcing this strike, the Israeli Defense Forces stated they had deliberately targeted key Iranian military sites as a direct response to repeated attacks from Tehran. They called the strikes “precise” and “targeted,” aiming to make clear that Israel would not sit idle as Iranian-linked groups continued their assaults. The statement went on to confirm that the airstrikes focused on facilities related to missile manufacturing and anti-air missile capabilities.

Following the attacks, Israeli officials indicated they had wrapped up the mission successfully, with all aircraft safely returning to their bases. Importantly, Israel clarified that their strikes avoided both energy infrastructure and nuclear sites within Iran, possibly out of caution for broader international consequences. U.S. President Joe Biden had advised Israel against striking Iran’s nuclear sites, energy infrastructure, or oil fields to avoid drawing in other nations or triggering a larger conflict. According to a senior U.S. official, the administration hopes that these recent “targeted and proportional strikes” will conclude any direct fire between Israel and Iran for the time being. However, the U.S. also remains prepared to step in and support Israel if Iran retaliates.

Meanwhile, Iranian media broadcast footage showing intense anti-aircraft fire lighting up the sky over central Tehran, though they did not specify which specific sites were being attacked. After a brief pause in air traffic during the strikes, Iranian authorities resumed flights by 9 a.m., as did neighboring Iraq. The Syrian state news agency SANA reported that Israeli airstrikes had also hit military targets within Syria’s central and southern regions, though Israel did not comment on these reports.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and top security officials closely monitored the operation from Tel Aviv’s military command center. Defense Minister Gallant also connected with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who reinforced the U.S.’s dedication to supporting Israel and defending American assets across the Middle East. Though Washington had prior knowledge of Israel’s intentions, they reportedly were not involved in the actual operation despite moving more assets into the region. To that respect, it made some noise the deployment of the F-16s from the 480th Fighter Squadron based at Spangdahlem AB, assets specialized in SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses).

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, currently in the Middle East seeking ways to de-escalate, noted on Wednesday that Israel’s counterstrike should avoid triggering a broader escalation, an indication of the United States’ desire to keep the situation from spiraling.

To further support Israel in light of these latest developments, President Biden decided to send the U.S. THAAD anti-missile defense system to Israeli soil, along with around 100 American personnel to operate it. This system is a significant addition to Israel’s already robust missile defense capabilities, giving them enhanced protection should Iran or any Iranian-linked group decide to respond. This move signals to both Israel and Iran that the U.S. remains deeply invested in its alliances in the Middle East and will continue to aid in Israel’s defense if further escalation occurs.

In the meantime, the immediate situation remains tense, with many across the region wondering what Iran’s next move might be. Iranian officials have repeatedly warned Israel against any form of attack, underscoring that “Iran reserves the right to respond to any aggression.” Semi-official Iranian news sources have hinted that Israel could expect a “proportional reaction” if hostilities continue. At the same time, a senior Biden official underscored that Washington hopes this recent round of “targeted and proportional” strikes will wrap up the back-and-forth exchange of fire between the two countries, and that any escalation beyond this could have significant consequences for both.

For a detailed chronological account of the operation, I would suggest having a look at the following eccellent X thread by our friend and contributor Evergreen Intel (@vcdgf555).

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By David Cenciotti
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David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.
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