The effectiveness of Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile defense system has been criticized in the wake of the latest Iranian missile attack. Pro-Iranian users on social media have pointed to footage of multiple warheads hitting targets in Israel as a victory over the country’s much-lauded air defense network. However, these comments show both a lack of knowledge about Israeli’s anti-missile capabilities and the reality of how effective Iran’s attack was against the country.
Why didn’t Iron Dome work in the latest Iranian missile attack?
Iron Dome is just part of Israel’s missile defense network. It works in conjunction with Arrow 2, Arrow 3, and David’s Sling systems, and its primary purpose is to shoot down short-range rockets and artillery shells. Since Iran fired ballistic missiles, Arrow and David’s Sling systems would be used, not Iron Dome.
According to the New York Times, the Israeli military stated it did intercept many of the approximately 180 missiles. United States Navy destroyers supplemented indigenous missile defenses, and President Biden was quoted as saying, “Based on what we know now, the attack appears to have been defeated and ineffective.”
Despite Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps alleging that it deployed its new hypersonic Fattah missiles, only one confirmed casualty was reported. Sameh al-Asali, a Palestinian man taking shelter in the West Bank, was hit by a large piece of shrapnel that fell from the air and was killed.
Iran’s attack comes as retaliation for Israel’s recent killings of Hezbollah’s leadership. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented, “Iran made a big mistake tonight — and it will pay for it. The regime in Iran does not understand our determination to defend ourselves and to retaliate against our enemies.”
As of writing, Israel hasn’t issued a military response to Iran’s attack. The region remains on edge in anticipation of further hostilities.
