Iran responds with ballistic missile barrage after Israeli airstrike, pushing region toward broader conflict

In response to an Israeli airstrike on Iranian military facilities (itself retaliation for Iranian missile strikes on Israeli targets in April 2024), Iran launches over 200 ballistic missiles at Israel. The strike demonstrates Iran's growing missile arsenal and capacity for long-range retaliation while raising global alarm about regional escalation spiraling into a wider conflict. The U.S. and European allies mobilize military assets to defend Israel. Both Iran and Israel calibrate their responses to avoid full-scale war. The exchange shows how fragile the balance between deterrence and escalation has become and intensifies pressure on both Washington and Tehran to find negotiating off-ramps.