Israel vows revenge for Iran's thwarted attack
Iran's attack was in retaliation for Israel's killing of Iran military leaders, plus members of Tehran-backed Hezbollah and Hamas


What happened
Iran launched more than 180 ballistic missiles at Israel Tuesday, targeting several military bases and the headquarters of the Mossad intelligence service in Tel Aviv. Iran said the attack was in retaliation for Israel's killing of leaders of Iran's military and Tehran-backed militias Hezbollah and Hamas. Two people were lightly wounded in Israel and a Palestinian man was killed by falling shrapnel in the West Bank.
Who said what
Iran scored a "small number of hits" in central and southern Israel, said Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari, but the "majority of the incoming missiles were intercepted by Israel and a defensive coalition led by the United States." U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Iran's attack was a "serious escalation" that would have "severe consequences," though it "appears to have been defeated and ineffective." By midnight Tuesday night Israelis were told they could leave their bomb shelters.
"Iran made a big mistake tonight — and it will pay for it," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a post on X that Tehran was "not seeking war but it will stand firmly against any threats." The missile barrage was "only a small glimpse of our powers," he added. "Do not enter into a war with Iran."
What next?
Israel will want to show it can "strike any target in Iran," but it should tread carefully, former U.S. intelligence officer Norman Roule said to The Wall Street Journal. "A war with Iran would require the political, economic and military support, if not participation by the United States," and "Israel no doubt recognizes that Washington has no interest in engaging in such a conflict."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Rafi Schwartz has worked as a politics writer at The Week since 2022, where he covers elections, Congress and the White House. He was previously a contributing writer with Mic focusing largely on politics, a senior writer with Splinter News, a staff writer for Fusion's news lab, and the managing editor of Heeb Magazine, a Jewish life and culture publication. Rafi's work has appeared in Rolling Stone, GOOD and The Forward, among others.
-
September 14 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Sunday’s political cartoons include RFK Jr on the hook, the destruction of discourse, and more
-
Air strikes in the Caribbean: Trump’s murky narco-war
Talking Point Drug cartels ‘don’t follow Marquess of Queensberry Rules’, but US military air strikes on speedboats rely on strained interpretation of ‘invasion’
-
Crossword: September 14, 2025
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
-
How Benjamin Netanyahu shaped Israel in his own image
The Explainer He has seldom been personally popular, but ‘King Bibi’ is an exceptionally shrewd operator
-
Nadine Menendez gets 4.5 years in bribery case
Speed Read Menendez's husband was previously sentenced to 11 years in prison
-
Koreans detained in US Hyundai raid return home
Speed Read Over 300 Koreans were detained at the plant last week
-
Brazil’s Bolsonaro sentenced to 27 years for coup attempt
Speed Read Bolsonaro was convicted of attempting to stay in power following his 2022 election loss
-
Former top FBI agents sue, claiming Trump purge
Speed Read The agents alleged they were targeted by a “campaign of retribution”
-
Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk shot dead at 31
Speed Read Kirk was holding a debate session at Utah Valley University
-
Judge lets Cook stay at Fed while appealing ouster
Speed Read Trump had attempted to fire Cook over allegations of mortgage fraud
-
'A symbol of the faceless corporate desire'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day