Number of Missiles and Their Impact
There are conflicting reports about the number of missiles launched:
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Iranian authorities stated that six missiles were fired.
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US sources cited 14 missiles.
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Qatari authorities, quoting Reuters, said 19 missiles were launched.
All sources confirmed that the missiles were intercepted by air defense systems, with no injuries or deaths. The attack was first confirmed by Iranian state media and later corroborated by the US military.
The Timing
The attack came roughly two days after the US conducted precision strikes inside Iran. According to American statements, those strikes targeted nuclear facilities in an effort to hamper Tehran’s potential weapons program. The US had warned Iran beforehand, making its stance clear that any retaliation would carry serious consequences.
The Context: The Weekend of Strikes
The events leading up to the attack were marked by tensions that had been simmering for weeks.
US Strikes Against Iranian Nuclear Sites
On Saturday, US forces conducted airstrikes on three nuclear facilities inside Iran. The strikes came amid growing concerns about Iran’s nuclear program, which Israel and the US have long alleged aims to develop a weapon.
Although Iran maintains that its nuclear program is exclusively for civilian energy generation, both Israel and the US have stated their belief that the regime in Tehran was on the verge of a breakthrough that could enable the creation of a nuclear weapon.
