Breaking: Strikes hit Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as Iran targets Israel with missiles | DW News

Key Concepts:

• Missile attacks between Iran and Israel
• Iron Dome defense system
• Sheltering protocols in Israel
• Potential for regional war
• Iran's nuclear program
• US involvement and stance
• Iranian domestic sentiment
• Nuclear negotiations between US and Iran

1. Main Topics and Key Points:

• Iran's Missile Attack on Israel: Iran launched dozens of missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, including nuclear sites and an airport. Explosions were reported in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
• Israeli Response and Sheltering: Sirens sounded across Israel, and citizens were instructed to take shelter. Initial reports indicated some missiles bypassed the Iron Dome, resulting in injuries from shrapnel.
• Iron Dome Limitations: The Iron Dome defense system is not hermetic and cannot intercept all incoming missiles, especially in large-scale attacks.
• Potential for Regional War: The conflict is currently between Israel and Iran, but it has the potential to escalate into a regional war, impacting countries like Jordan, Iraq, and Syria.
• Israeli Perspective: Israel views the attacks as the beginning of a war against the Islamic regime's capabilities, including its nuclear program and missile platforms.
• Iranian Perspective: Iran considers the Israeli strikes a declaration of war. The Iranian public may not mourn the loss of military commanders but could react negatively to attacks on residential areas.
• US Involvement: The US claims it was not involved in the Israeli strikes, but there are conflicting messages about whether they were informed beforehand. The US stance is seen as crucial in determining the conflict's escalation.
• Nuclear Negotiations: The attacks have jeopardized ongoing nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran.

2. Important Examples, Case Studies, or Real-World Applications Discussed:

• Past Attacks: The video references previous attacks, including launches from Yemen and a direct confrontation between Israel and Iran in October, to illustrate the escalating nature of the conflict.
• Houthi Attacks in 2019: The Houthi attacks on a Saudi Arabian site in 2019 are mentioned to highlight the ineffectiveness of Iran's proxies and their systems.
• Operation Rising Lion: The name of the Israeli operation, "Rising Lion," is discussed in terms of its symbolic significance in Iranian history and its potential impact on Iranian opposition movements.

3. Step-by-Step Processes, Methodologies, or Frameworks Explained:

• Sheltering Protocols: When air sirens sound, people are alerted via phone and instructed to take shelter in protected spaces or staircases. They remain in shelter until an "all clear" message is received.

4. Key Arguments or Perspectives Presented, with Their Supporting Evidence:

• Israeli Unity: While there was internal dissent against the Israeli government, the conflict with Iran has fostered a sense of unity among Israelis.
• Existential Threat: The threat from Iran is viewed as existential by many Israelis, justifying the need for action.
• US-Israel Tensions: There are potential tensions between the US and Israel regarding strategy towards Iran, particularly concerning the nuclear program.
• Iran's Weakness: Israel sees a window of opportunity to strike Iran due to the perceived weakness of the Iranian regime and its proxies.

5. Notable Quotes or Significant Statements with Proper Attribution:

• Iranian Foreign Minister: Described the Israeli attacks as a "declaration of war."
• Israeli Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu): Referred to the operation as "Rising Lion."
• Mary Eisen (International Institute for Counterterrorism): Stated that Israel has "started a war against the Islamic regime's capabilities."
• Theresa Tropper (DW's Iran Expert): "Iran will have to live up to that to a certain degree if it wants to keep its credibility."
• Simon Mayabon (Lancaster University): "This is a a lastditch attempt to prevent any type of nuclear deal between the United States and Iran."
• Hansop Schindler (Counter Extremism Project): "We are in a very very dangerous uh escalation spiral at the moment where we just do not know to what extent this conflict is going to go."
• Donald Trump: Called Israel's attack on Iran an "excellent attack" and warned that Israel's attacks "will only get worse."

6. Technical Terms, Concepts, or Specialized Vocabulary with Brief Explanations:

• Iron Dome: Israel's air defense system designed to intercept and destroy short-range rockets and artillery shells.
• UAVs: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, commonly known as drones.
• Proxies: Groups or entities that act on behalf of another state or organization.
• Shrupnel: Fragments of a bomb, shell, or other projectile thrown out by an explosion.
• Hermetic: Perfectly sealed or airtight; in this context, referring to the Iron Dome's ability to intercept all incoming missiles.
• Magenda Vitam: One of the rescue services in Israel.

7. Logical Connections Between Different Sections and Ideas:

• The initial missile attacks lead to a discussion of the Iron Dome's effectiveness and the need for sheltering protocols.
• The potential for regional war is linked to the geographical locations of countries between Israel and Iran.
• The US involvement is connected to the ongoing nuclear negotiations and the potential for a direct confrontation.
• The analysis of Iranian domestic sentiment is tied to the historical context of attacks against Iran and the level of protests against the Islamic Republic.

8. Any Data, Research Findings, or Statistics Mentioned:

• Iran launched dozens of missiles at Israel.
• Seven hits were reported in the first wave of attacks.
• Jordan intercepted some of the Iranian UAVs.
• Iran hit back with around 200 missiles targeting Israel last year.

9. Clear Section Headings for Different Topics:

• (Implicitly) Initial Attacks and Immediate Responses
• Iron Dome and Defense Capabilities
• Regional Implications and Perspectives
• US Involvement and Nuclear Negotiations
• Iranian Domestic Sentiment and Potential Reactions

10. A Brief Synthesis/Conclusion of the Main Takeaways:

The situation between Israel and Iran is highly volatile and escalating, with the potential to develop into a broader regional conflict. The effectiveness of defensive systems like the Iron Dome is limited, and the conflict has significant implications for nuclear negotiations and US foreign policy in the Middle East. The internal dynamics within both Israel and Iran, as well as the involvement of external actors like the US, will play a crucial role in determining the future trajectory of the conflict.