Israel’s ‘Queen of Fire’ Leads Defense Against Iran’s Missile Onslaught
Israel’s “Queen of Fire,” a top IAF officer, reveals how the Air Force is crippling Iran’s missile capabilities amid relentless attacks on Israeli cities. With over 200 airstrikes deep into Iran, Major T. leads one of the most complex defense campaigns in Israeli history.
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As Israel’s conflict with Iran intensifies, Major T., dubbed “מלכת האש” (Queen of Fire), a pivotal Israeli Air Force (IAF) officer, is spearheading the nation’s defense against Iran’s ballistic missile onslaught.
Major T. shared critical insights into Israel’s defensive strategy amid a war that has seen devastating Iranian attacks and robust Israeli counterstrikes.
Key Revelations from Major T.:
Suppressed Iranian Regions: Major T. revealed that entire regions in Iran have been “medukhaim” (suppressed), severely limiting their ability to launch ballistic missiles. She noted that Iran’s capacity for significant missile barrages, as initially planned, has been drastically reduced, marking a significant blow to their offensive capabilities.
Iran’s Prepared Defenses: Despite not engaging in a major offensive since the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), Iran meticulously prepared its military arrays for conflict. The IAF has prioritized targeting Iran’s mobile missile launchers, a strategy Iran anticipated, drawing on lessons from past wars to protect its assets.
Shift to Civilian Targets: Contradicting Israeli intelligence predictions that Iran would focus on military sites, Iran shifted mid-conflict to targeting civilian population centers to pressure Israel’s home front. This tactical change has led to significant civilian casualties and widespread damage.
‘Night of the Launchers’: In a standout operation early in the war, the IAF slashed an Iranian missile barrage from a planned 70 launches to just 30 within three hours. Dubbed “ליל המשגרים” (Night of the Launchers) by the IAF, this event shows Israel’s advanced interception capabilities.
Regional Developments and Losses:
Iran has launched approximately 350-400 ballistic missiles since the conflict began, resulting in severe civilian tolls: 24 fatalities, including 4 in Petah Tikva, 3 in Haifa, 1 in Bnei Brak, and others in Tamra, Rishon LeZion, and Ramat Gan. Over 200 people have been injured in central Israel, with notable incidents including 63 wounded in Gush Dan (2 critically) and a direct hit in Tamra killing a woman in her 20s. An Iranian drone struck a two-story building in northern Israel on Saturday, one of the first successful drone attacks acknowledged by the IDF, with no injuries reported.
The IAF, leveraging precise intelligence from the IDF’s Intelligence Directorate and the Mossad, has conducted over 200 sorties, targeting more than 100 sites across Iran. These include nuclear facilities in Natanz and Isfahan, missile production plants in Shiraz, and Tabriz’s airport.
The IDF claims to have destroyed roughly one-third of Iran’s missile launchers (approximately 120 of 300 mobile launchers) and hundreds of ballistic missiles on the ground. Israel’s top general described the campaign, dubbed “Operation Lion’s Roar,” as the most complex in the nation’s history, with recent strikes killing three senior Iranian military leaders, including IRGC commander Hossein Salami, General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, and Ali Rashid of Khatam al-Anbiya.