What are Israel's Air Defenses Against Iran's Missiles, Drones?
Israel prides itself on having some of the best air defenses in the world, and these billion-dollar systems have been put to the test since the Iran-backed Palestinian group Hamas provoked a new war with Israel in October 2023. Militant organizations supported by Iran have launched rockets, missiles and drones at Israel. Iran itself has struck repeatedly, most recently in June after Israel launched a major attack targeting the Islamic republic's nuclear facilities and military leadership.
Iran's October 2024 attack did not cause casualties in Israel. However, numerous ballistic missiles slipped through Israel's air defenses and inflicted damage estimated at some 150 million to 200 million shekels ($40 million to $53 million), according to figures provided by Israel's tax authority.
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Boston Globe
an hour ago
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Hundreds of thousands mourn top Iranian military commanders and scientists killed in Israeli strikes
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Advertisement The 86-year-old downplayed U.S. strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites as having not achieved 'anything significant' and claimed victory over Israel. The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency, Rafael Grossi, has characterized the damage done by American bunker-buster bombs to Iran's Fordo nuclear site, which was built into a mountain, as 'very, very, very considerable.' U.S. President Donald Trump has said that he expects Iran to open itself to international inspection to verify it doesn't restart its nuclear program, and White House officials have said they expect to restart talks soon with Iran, though nothing has been scheduled. Iran's parliament has voted to suspend collaboration with Grossi's International Atomic Energy Agency for the time being. In a post on X on Saturday, Araghchi indicated that Iran might be open to talks, but criticized Trump's remarks from Friday in which the president scoffed at a warning from Khamenei against further U.S. attacks, saying Iran 'got beat to hell.' 'If President Trump is genuine about wanting a deal, he should put aside the disrespectful and unacceptable tone towards Iran's Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei and stop hurting his millions of heartfelt followers,' Araghchi wrote.
