Israeli air strikes over the weekend knocked out Iran's last three Russian-provided S-300 air defense missile systems and has left the country "naked", Fox News reported citing US and Israeli officials.
The surface-to-air S-300s were the last in the Islamic Republic's arsenal after one was destroyed in an attack in April also likely carried out by Israel, Fox News quoted a senior US official as saying. The strikes were launched from US-provided F-35 jets, the official added.
In an internal phone call, President Biden's adviser for the Middle East Amos Hochstein said "Iran is essentially naked", according to the US news channel.
Israel carried out the air strikes in the early hours of Saturday in retaliation for a ballistic missile barrage from Iran on Oct. 1. One Iranian civilian and four military personnel were killed, Iranian media said, and officials have pledged a response.
“The majority of Iran’s air defense was taken out," an Israeli official told Fox News. The outlet cited US and Israeli officials saying multiple Iranian radar systems were also taken out, depriving the Islamic Republic of the capabilities to launch missiles at Israel in future.
The cycle of attacks this year mark the first direct confrontation between the Islamic Republic and Israel in the arch-foes' nearly 50-year history, and US officials have counseled Iran not to respond.
