Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Iran "made a big mistake" and vowed that Israel would retaliate according to its policy: "Whoever attacks us, we will attack them." Israel is currently consulting with the U.S. about potential options, one of which includes a direct strike on Iran’s oil fields. Such an attack would target a key economic sector but could affect Iranian civilians, something Israel has generally avoided in order to keep its focus on Iranian leadership.

The Biden administration has also condemned the missile attack, with President Joe Biden announcing plans for new sanctions against Iran. Biden reiterated that while the U.S. supports holding Iran accountable, it does not endorse an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear sites, which are heavily fortified and would require a major military effort to damage or destroy.

Other options Israel is reportedly considering include targeted assassinations of key figures in Iran’s proxy forces, such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). These groups, which form Iran's "axis of resistance," have long been central to Iran's influence in the region and its opposition to Israel.

With rising tensions between Israel and Iran, U.S. officials are concerned that the situation could escalate into a broader regional conflict. Efforts are being made to negotiate a ceasefire, but the current atmosphere remains volatile, as Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed militias continue their operations along Israel’s northern border. Meanwhile, the death toll in Gaza has surged past 41,000 Palestinians, following Israel’s retaliatory strikes in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis. The potential for a larger-scale war between Israel and Iran has never been closer, and the next steps taken by both nations will be critical in shaping the future of the conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Iran "made a big mistake" and vowed that Israel would retaliate according to its policy: "Whoever attacks us, we will attack them." Israel is currently consulting with the U.S. about potential options, one of which includes a direct strike on Iran’s oil fields. Such an attack would target a key economic sector but could affect Iranian civilians, something Israel has generally avoided in order to keep its focus on Iranian leadership.

The Biden administration has also condemned the missile attack, with President Joe Biden announcing plans for new sanctions against Iran. Biden reiterated that while the U.S. supports holding Iran accountable, it does not endorse an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear sites, which are heavily fortified and would require a major military effort to damage or destroy.

Other options Israel is reportedly considering include targeted assassinations of key figures in Iran’s proxy forces, such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). These groups, which form Iran's "axis of resistance," have long been central to Iran's influence in the region and its opposition to Israel.

With rising tensions between Israel and Iran, U.S. officials are concerned that the situation could escalate into a broader regional conflict. Efforts are being made to negotiate a ceasefire, but the current atmosphere remains volatile, as Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed militias continue their operations along Israel’s northern border. Meanwhile, the death toll in Gaza has surged past 41,000 Palestinians, following Israel’s retaliatory strikes in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis. The potential for a larger-scale war between Israel and Iran has never been closer, and the next steps taken by both nations will be critical in shaping the future of the conflict.