Israel's retaliatory strike on Iran disabled a critically important component of Iran's ballistic missile program, reported Axios citing Israeli officials. During the attack, four S-300 air defense batteries, located in strategically important places protecting Tehran as well as nuclear and energy facilities in Iran, were also hit.
In the attack on Iran on October 26, more than 100 combat aircraft, including fighters and drones, participated. According to Israeli military, to prevent interception by Iran's allies, the fighters first targeted air defense batteries and radars in Syria and Iraq. Clearing the way, the fighters flew towards Iran, located more than 2000 km from Israel, and struck its air defense systems. According to two officials, the second wave of fighters later targeted Iranian long-range missile production sites. The attack concluded around 5 AM after about 20 targets were hit overnight, officials said.
According to Axios sources, Israel hit 12 «planetary mixers» used for producing solid fuel for long-range ballistic missiles, which constitute the main part of Iran's missile arsenal.
The destruction of the equipment deals a serious blow to Iran's ability to update its missile arsenal and may deter Iran from further massive missile strikes on Israel.
Although Iran still has a large stockpile of ballistic missiles, Israeli sources say that the fact that Iran will not be able to produce new ballistic missiles also limits its ability to replenish the ballistic missile stockpiles of its proxies — «Hezbollah» and the Yemeni Houthis.
President Biden told reporters on Saturday that the Israeli strike affected only military targets in Iran and that he hopes this exchange of strikes between Israel and Iran will end here.
Photo: AFP