Iran's missile strike on Israel could be the largest in history, says Spiegel

Iran's missile strike on Israel could have been the largest in history, says Spiegel Sergei Popovich

Iran's missile strike on Israel could have been the largest in history, – Spiegel/Collage 24 Kanal

Iran fired up to 200 missiles at Israel in what was likely the largest ballistic missile attack in history. Iran used some weapons for the first time, and some even managed to penetrate Israel's iconic Iron Dome.

The October 1 attack saw at least a dozen missiles hit the home of Israel's F-35s, the Nevatim Air Force Base near Beersheba. It is not yet known whether they were destroyed or damaged, the Spiegel article says.

Iran penetrates Israel's air defenses

Iran has managed to penetrate Israel's multi-layered air defenses, known as the Iron Dome, in several places.

Military expert Fabian Ginz from the International Institute for Strategic Studies commented on the attack.

They probably learned their lesson from the April attacks and relied on ballistic missiles this time, the military expert says.

Ballistic missiles fly significantly faster than cruise missiles or kamikaze drones, giving air defenses less time to react.

Gintz notes that by launching up to 200 missiles, Tehran could have carried out what was likely the “largest ballistic missile attack in history” this time..

This was the first time the Fatteh-1 missile, which Iran describes as hypersonic, was used. Although it is not one, the publication notes, it “has some characteristics that make it more survivable.”

The debris that fell in Israel indicates that Iran used other new missiles, Gintz says. Among them is the Kheibar Shekan, which has a range of 1,450 kilometers.

Like the Fatteh-1, it has a maneuverable body that allows it to control its re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere and is designed to outsmart air defense systems. Such missiles are capable of reaching Israel from Iran in just a few minutes.

The massive attack appears to have overcome missile defenses. In total, Iran has at least 3,000 ballistic missiles. Therefore, Israel must be prepared to no longer be immune to such attacks, especially if Hezbollah and the Houthis come with their own arsenals, writes Spiegel.

Recall that on October 1, Iran launched a massive missile attack on Israel, which was its response to the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Israel has already announced its strike on the aggressor's oil industry and other strategic facilities.