Iran launched a massive missile strike on Israel on October 1, firing 180 ballistic missiles. Most were intercepted by defence systems from Israel, the US, and Jordan. This attack follows days of escalating tensions in the region. Iran claimed the strike was in retaliation for the deaths of key Hezbollah and Hamas leaders, vowing more attacks if targeted. Israel responded with a strong warning, stating that Iran would “pay” for the aggression. However, in the Israel-Iran War, no casualties have been reported so far, as Israel advised its citizens to take shelter amidst the chaos.
US Response to Iran Missile Attack
The U.S. closely monitored Iran’s missile attack on Israel, with President Biden and Vice President Harris tracking the situation from the White House. Biden warned of serious consequences for Iran if the conflict escalates further. While the U.S. evacuated 250 Americans from Lebanon, many remain amid the ongoing violence. Despite rising tensions, Biden expressed confidence that a full-scale war could still be avoided:
“How confident are you it’s not going to rain? Look, I don’t believe there is going to be an all-out war. I think we can avoid it…But there is a lot to do yet, a lot to do yet.”
Israel vs. Iran: Who Has Stronger Military Power?
The ongoing Israel-Iran war has raised the question: If a war breaks out, which country would have the upper hand? Both nations possess good military strength, but they differ significantly in several areas. Let’s explore their military capabilities in detail.
Personnel Strength
Iran has a larger active military with 610,000 personnel, including 350,000 in the army and 190,000 in the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). It also has a reserve force of 350,000. Israel, on the other hand, has a smaller active force of 169,500 but compensates with a substantial reserve force of 465,000.
| Personnel Strength | Israel | Iran |
| Active PersonneL | 169,500 | 610,000 |
| Reserve Personnel | 465,000 | 350,000 |
Military Spending
| Spending | Israel | Iran |
| Military Spending (2023) | USD 27.5 billion | USD 10.3 billion |
Ground Forces
| Ground Forces | Israel | Iran |
| Battle Tanks | 400 | 10,000 |
| Artillery Guns | 530 | 7,000 |
| Armoured Personnel Carriers | 1,190 | 640 |
Air Forces
| Air Forces | Israel | Iran |
| Combat Aircraft | 345 (technologically superior) | 312 |
| Attack Helicopters | 43 | 5 |
Naval Forces
| Naval Forces | Israel | Iran |
| Submarines | 5 | 17 |
| Patrol Vessels | 49 | 68 |
Air Defence Systems
Israel’s multi-layered air defence, including the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and the Arrow System, is highly advanced. Iran uses the Russian-made S-200 and S-300, along with the locally developed Bavar-373, but Israel’s systems are globally recognized as superior.
Ballistic Missiles
Iran has a range of short- to medium-range ballistic missiles with up to 2,000 km in range. Israel’s Jericho-3 ballistic missiles have a much longer reach, between 4,800 and 6,500 km, giving Israel a strategic advantage.
Nuclear Capabilities
Israel is believed to have around 90 nuclear warheads, giving it a significant strategic advantage. Iran does not currently possess nuclear weapons but has a highly advanced nuclear program.
While Iran possesses a larger military force in terms of personnel and ground assets, Israel holds key advantages in technology, airpower, military spending, and strategic assets like nuclear capabilities. In a direct military Israel-Iran war, Israel’s advanced warfare capabilities make it a stronger opponent despite Iran’s larger manpower.
Middle East Conflict and Its Impact on India:
Though the Missiles are firing thousands of miles away from India, the heat and tremors of the Israel-Iran war will be experienced in India too. Here are some of the impact of the Israel-Iran war on India:
1. India is heavily dependent on Middle Eastern oil, with significant suppliers including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait. Iran is also a key exporter, making India susceptible to trade impacts from both ends.
3. India has diversified its oil imports with Russian oil; however, the share of Russian oil in Indian imports has recently decreased, while Middle Eastern oil imports have increased.
4. India relies on Qatar for almost half of its LNG needs, with a $78 billion deal to secure supplies for 20 years.
5. Middle Eastern oil imports rose to 44.6% of India’s crude imports in August, with Iraq, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Kuwait as major suppliers. A conflict involving Iran’s allies could threaten crucial oil shipping routes, such as the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, essential for India’s energy supplies.
6. In case of an escalation, India might need to reroute its oil shipments from Russia via the Cape of Good Hope, increasing costs and delivery times.
7. The crisis could strain India’s trade with the EU, its largest trading partner, affecting petroleum exports due to increased shipping costs. Meanwhile, regional neutrality from key Middle Eastern players (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar) provides India with some stability.
8. Escalating tensions could increase oil prices, leading to higher inflation and potentially hindering the Reserve Bank of India’s plans to cut interest rates. A $10 per barrel increase could raise India’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) by up to 0.5 percentage points, impacting the economy.
The Bottom Line:
The ongoing Middle East crisis that started months ago has led to much retaliation, and now Iran’s attack on Israel suggests its continuation. Both nations have strong military power, and this firing may spark a full-fledged war. However, this may affect oil and gas prices and other things in India.
Also Read: What is Now Happening in Israel and Palestine? A Closer Look
