Israel’s options to strike Iran

Israeli retaliation for Iran’s missile attack will focus on reestablishing deterrence and preventing similar attacks, but any response risks pushing the Middle East further towards all-out war


AIR STRIKES

Aircraft: F-15 and F-35 fighter jets capable of reaching western Iran – distance of at least 1,500km

“Bunker buster” bombs: Could penetrate buried nuclear facilities

GBU-28 bomb

F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

Ballistic missiles: Arsenal of Jericho missiles believed capable of delivering 1,000kg warhead anywhere in Middle East

Popeye cruise missile

Naval forces
Submarine-launched cruise missile attack from fleet of five Dolphin submarines


Key targets: Include Revolutionary Guards bases and nuclear facilities, such as main uranium enrichment plant at Natanz

Major facilities
Nuclear site 
Reactor 
Uranium mine


Proxies: Israel could choose to strike Iran-backed armed groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Islamic Resistance in Iraq and Houthis in Yemen

Countries with active Iran-backed militias

Black Sea
TURKEY
LEBANON 
SYRIA
ISRAEL
Mediterranean Sea
IRAQ
PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES
EGYPT

Jericho II
Range: From 1,500km

Red Sea
JORDAN
SAUDI ARABIA
YEMEN
Gulf of Aden
BAHRAIN
QATAR
UAE 
OMAN
Persian Gulf
Strait of Hormuz
Bonab
Tehran
Caspian Sea
Karaj 
Fordow
Arak
IRAN 
Natanz
Anarak 
Saghand 
Ardakan
Isfahan 
Bushehr
Gachin
Arabian Sea
200km 125 miles


COVERT ATTACK
Cyber attacks against Iran’s nuclear programme, or assassination of high-value target such as Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh (above), head of Revolutionary Guards’ Aerospace Force, who commanded April 13 missile and drone attacks on Israel


Sources: Stratfor, CSIS, Council on Foreign Relations, IAEA, European Parliamentary Research Service Picture: Getty Images 
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