Fox News has learned that Israel took three of Iran's Russian-made S-300 missile defense systems during a retaliatory strike against the Islamic Republic last week.
Israel launched a strategic airstrike on October 26, significantly escalating the conflict between the two countries during the operation's chosen name, the “Days of Repentance”. The attacks targeted key military infrastructure, dealing both a symbolic and tactical blow to Iran's strategic capabilities following Tehran's attack on Israel weeks ago.
Israel launched counter-attacks against Iran after the missile barrage targeting Israel
The Biden administration was informed in advance of the Israeli attack. These targets were chosen in an attempt to send an important message to Iran and reduce its ability to fire ballistic missiles at Israel anytime soon.
At the beginning of the year, Iran had only four S300 surface-to-air missile systems. In April, Israel removed one of the missile systems in response to Iran's first ballistic missile attack. A senior US official confirmed that three S-300 missile systems were destroyed in the airstrikes.
“Most of Iran's air defenses were taken out.” A senior Israeli official told Fox News.
On an internal call, President Biden's Middle East adviser, Amos Hochstein, said that “Iran is basically bare” and no longer has a missile defense.
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Israeli warplanes also took out multiple radar systems needed to guide ballistic missiles that were fired at Israel in April and October 1, when Iran fired 181 ballistic missiles at the Jewish state. The Department of Defense said many of the missiles were destroyed before reaching their targets and others caused minimal damage.
Removing the radar system prevents Iran from launching these missiles in the future, a senior official said.
“Our message is very, very clear… 'Any threat, anywhere, anytime, we will know how to get to it,'” said Ltg Herzi Halvi, Chief of General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces. Yes, we'll know how to attack,'”
Halevi stressed that Israel has deployed only a fraction of its capabilities, and suggested that more could be done if Iran escalates.
Defense Minister Lloyd Austin has urged Iran not to respond to Israeli attacks.
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“We believe that this tit-for-tat has to end,” Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said during a briefing with reporters today. “We don't think Iran should or needs to respond. On October 1, Iran fired 200 ballistic missiles that were targeting civilian population centers. Israel responded by hitting military targets.”
“We see this as an off-ramp route,” he added.
Efrat Leicher of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.