Israel conducted a series of strikes on various Iranian sites early Saturday morning, asserting that it targeted military installations. This action represents the latest development in the ongoing tensions between the two Middle Eastern nations.

Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari announced on X that the military executed “targeted and precise attacks against military targets in Iran,” emphasizing that these operations were aimed at neutralizing immediate threats to Israel. He confirmed that the wave of attacks had concluded.

Residents in Tehran reported hearing multiple explosions, which Iranian officials attributed to missile interceptions by the country’s air defense systems.

These Israeli airstrikes occurred less than a month after Iran launched an assault on major Israeli cities, firing at least 180 ballistic missiles on October 2. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that the missile strikes were a response to civilian casualties in Gaza and Lebanon resulting from Israeli operations, as well as the targeted killings of IRGC, Hamas, and Hezbollah leaders. The IRGC indicated that the missiles were directed at three military bases in Tel Aviv.

In response to the October 2 missile attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised retaliation, stating that Iran had “made a big mistake” and would “pay for it.”

As Israel and Iran, longstanding adversaries engaged in proxy conflicts for decades, move closer to a potential direct confrontation, it is essential to examine their military capabilities, their capacity to launch attacks against one another, and the strategies they may employ to protect their territories.

Personnel Strength

According to The Military Balance 2023, a report from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) based in the United Kingdom:

Iran boasts a total of 610,000 active military personnel, which includes 350,000 in the army, 190,000 in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), 18,000 in the navy, 37,000 in the air force, and 15,000 in air defense. Additionally, Iran maintains a reserve force of 350,000. Mandatory conscription applies to Iranian men over the age of 18, with some exceptions.

In contrast, Israel has 169,500 active military personnel, comprising 126,000 in the army, 9,500 in the navy, and 34,000 in the air force. Israel’s reserve force is significantly larger, totaling 465,000. The country enforces conscription for most young men and women over 18, with specific exemptions.

Military Expenditure

As reported in a fact sheet by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) in April 2024:

In 2023, Iran allocated $10.3 billion for military purposes, reflecting a modest increase of 0.6 percent compared to 2022.

In the same year, Israel’s military expenditure reached $27.5 billion, marking a significant rise of 24 percent from the previous year, largely driven by the conflict in Gaza that escalated after October 7.

Land Forces

According to The Military Balance 2023:

Iran

Iran possesses over 10,513 battle tanks, more than 6,798 artillery pieces, and over 640 armored personnel carriers. The Iranian army operates 50 helicopters, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has five.

Israel

In contrast, Israel maintains approximately 400 battle tanks, 530 artillery pieces, and over 1,190 armored personnel carriers.

Air Forces

As detailed in The Military Balance 2023:

Iran’s air force includes 312 combat-capable aircraft, with an additional 23 operated by the IRGC. The air force has two attack helicopters, while the army operates 50 and the IRGC has five.

Israel’s air force consists of 345 combat-capable aircraft and 43 attack helicopters.

Naval Forces

According to The Military Balance 2023:

Iran’s naval capabilities include 17 tactical submarines, 68 patrol and coastal combatants, seven corvettes, 12 landing ships, 11 landing craft, and 18 logistics and support vessels.

Israel’s navy comprises five submarines and 49 patrol and coastal combatants.

Air Defense Systems

As outlined in The Military Balance 2023:

Israel‘s air defense strategy is primarily based on the Iron Dome system, which reportedly intercepted the majority of Iranian missiles during a recent incident. This system utilizes radar technology to identify incoming threats, assessing their speed and trajectory. The control center determines whether a projectile is a danger to populated areas; non-threatening projectiles are permitted to land in uninhabited zones, while those deemed hazardous trigger the launch of interceptor missiles from the system’s battery, which holds 20 interceptors.

Israel operates 10 Iron Dome batteries strategically positioned across the country. In addition to the Iron Dome, other systems are in place to counter medium and long-range missile threats. David’s Sling is designed to intercept missiles within a range of 40 km (25 miles) to 300 km (186 miles), while the Arrow System is capable of targeting missiles up to 2,400 km (1,491 miles) away.

Iran: In February, Iran introduced the Azarakhsh, a short-range, low-altitude air defense system, which translates to “thunderbolt” in Persian. This system features infrared detection capabilities along with radar and electro-optical systems for target identification and interception, and it can be mounted on vehicles.

Iran possesses a diverse array of surface-to-air missile defense systems, including over 42 long-range models such as the Russian-made S-200s, S-300s, and the domestically produced Bavar-373. Additionally, it has more than 59 medium-range systems, including the US MIM-23 Hawk, HQ-2J, and Khordad-15, as well as 279 short-range systems like the Chinese-manufactured CH-SA-4 and 9K331 Tor-M1.

Ballistic Missiles

The Missile Defense Project, part of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a US think tank, reports that Iran possesses a minimum of 12 distinct types of medium-range and short-range ballistic missiles. These include the Tondar 69, which has a range of 150 km (93 miles), and the Khorramshahr and Sejjil missiles, both capable of reaching distances of up to 2,000 km (1,243 miles).

Israel, on the other hand, has at least four varieties of ballistic missiles that fall into the small, medium, and intermediate-range categories. These range from the LORA, which can travel 280 km (174 miles), to the Jericho-3, with a range estimated between 4,800 km (2,983 miles) and 6,500 km (4,039 miles).

Nuclear Capabilities

The Arms Control Association, a US-based organization, estimates that Israel has approximately 90 nuclear warheads in its arsenal. In contrast, Iran is not believed to possess nuclear weapons; however, it has developed an advanced nuclear program and operates multiple nuclear facilities and research centers. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei issued a religious edict, or fatwa, in the early 2000s prohibiting the production of nuclear weapons, stating that it is forbidden in Islam. Nevertheless, in May, Iran indicated it might reconsider its nuclear policy if it perceives a threat to its existence.