Defence Onslaught defeated with help of allies

Iran's widely anticipated missile and drone attack was defeated with the help of the US, the UK and Jordan, which, alongside the Israeli military, ensured that all but a handful of ballistic missiles were neutralised.

- Dan Sabbagh

The Israel Defense Forces said yesterday that about 360 missiles and drones were fired from Iran and that "99% of the threats" had been intercepted in a successful mission that may have cost Israel $1bn (£800m) but will have saved many lives and dented Iran's military credibility.

Iran's plan appears to have been to try to overwhelm Israel's system of air defences with a complex attack of the type employed by Russia against Ukraine, but on a vaster scale. It comprised relatively slow-moving drones, faster cruise missiles and high-speed ballistic missiles capable of travelling several times more quickly than the speed of sound.

Though the attack was well telegraphed, with Iran's foreign minister, Hossein AmirAbdollahian, saying yesterday it had given neighbouring countries 72 hours' notice, its size was notable. Roughly three times that of a large-scale Russian assault in Ukraine and comprising more than 100 ballistic missiles, the attack was a serious threat to any air defence system.

Iran's chief of general staff, Gen Mohammad Bagheri, said yesterday that the operation was considered a success and further attacks on its part were not necessary - but the apparently low impact rate is likely to be a disappointment.

By comparison, the surprise drone and missile attack on two Saudi oil installations at Abqaiq and Khurais in 2019, orchestrated by Iran, temporarily knocked out 5% of the world's oil supply. Estimates vary, but two or three dozen drones and missiles were used at the time.

"Look at the size and scale of this latest attack. It was designed to inflict real damage, but the fact that it didn't is damaging to Iran's credibility," said Sidharth Kaushal of the Royal United Services Institute thinktank.