Iranian Ballistic Missiles Struck Five Israeli Military Bases, UK Report Reveals
In a startling revelation that could reshape assessments of Israel&rsquo;s defensive resilience, a Telegraph investigation has uncovered that Iranian ballistic missiles struck at least five Israel Defense Forces (IDF) bases during the recent 12-day war between <a title="Iran" href="https://www.benefitnews24.com/international/iran-fires-30-missiles-at-israel-after-us-strikes-nuclear-sites/14544" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Iran</a> and Israel. The findings raise fresh questions about the effectiveness of Israeli air defence systems at the peak of hostilities.
Using radar signature analysis, researchers from Oregon State University identified definitive blast patterns at multiple military installations deep within Israel. &ldquo;The radar signatures we analysed show definitive blast patterns at five separate military sites,&rdquo; Corey Scher, a researcher associated with the Oregon State team, told The Telegraph. &ldquo;These are consistent with missile strikes that likely occurred during the height of the conflict.&rdquo;
The Telegraph report points to significant hits on Tel Nof Airbase, <a title="Israel" href="https://www.benefitnews24.com/opinion/iron-dome-s-true-test-amid-iran-s-missile-barrage/14136" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glilot Intelligence Base,</a> and the Zipporit armoured weapons production centre. Other locations remain undisclosed, with details reportedly falling under the strict veil of Israeli military censorship.
While the IDF has declined to confirm or deny the reported damage, a military spokesman maintained that operations were not disrupted. &ldquo;What we can say is that all relevant units maintained functional continuity throughout the operation,&rdquo; the official said in response to The Telegraph&rsquo;s inquiry.
Crucially, the radar-detected strikes are believed to be separate from the 36 Iranian missile impacts previously reported on civilian and industrial zones, which caused widespread destruction and public alarm across Israeli urban centres.
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<h3 data-start="1951" data-end="1986">Rising Missile Penetration Rate</h3>
Perhaps most telling is the analysis suggesting that Iran&rsquo;s missile penetration rate into Israeli airspace rose sharply in the initial days of the conflict. According to The Telegraph, the proportion of Iranian projectiles breaching Israel&rsquo;s multilayered air defence system&mdash;including the Iron Dome and David&rsquo;s Sling&mdash;climbed from just 2% to a peak of 16% by day seven.
The UK-based report, while not offering conclusive reasons for this rise, noted expert views citing potential interceptor shortages on the Israeli side, improved launch coordination by Iranian forces, and the use of more advanced missile technologies.
<h3 data-start="2612" data-end="2666">Israel&rsquo;s Official Silence and Strategic Challenges</h3>
Under strict wartime censorship, Israeli media have offered only sparse commentary. However, one senior military official, quoted anonymously, stated that Iran had started the conflict with approximately 400 missile launchers&mdash;more than half of which were reportedly neutralised by Israeli strikes. &ldquo;We destroyed more than 200 of them, which caused a bottleneck in their missile operations,&rdquo; the official claimed.
Estimates from the same source suggest that Iran entered the conflict with a stockpile of 2,000 to 2,500 ballistic missiles and is actively working towards mass production, signalling Tehran&rsquo;s strategic aim to overwhelm Israeli defences in any future escalations.
<h3 data-start="3347" data-end="3373">Strategic Implications</h3>
If verified, the reported strikes on IDF facilities could mark a significant turning point in Iran-Israel confrontations. While Israeli military superiority in intelligence and precision targeting remains formidable, Iran&rsquo;s demonstrated capacity to breach hardened military targets may recalibrate both nations&rsquo; strategic calculus.
The Telegraph&rsquo;s reporting underscores that this was not merely a symbolic exchange of fire but a technologically evolving conflict where even the best-defended military assets are now within the reach of adversarial missile systems.

IDF defence basis hit by Iran's missile (satellite image source Maxar)

UK report reveals Iranian ballistic missiles struck five IDF bases during 12-day conflict

Iran Missiles Hit Key Israeli Military Bases

UK report reveals Iranian ballistic missiles struck five IDF bases during 12-day conflict

July 6, 2025 | 11:40 IST