The missile exchange between Israel and Iran is the biggest escalation in relations between the two countries in recent years. Israel is trying to get its closest ally to USA, are also turning their weapons against Tehran, but experts are raising the alarm, saying that if the US were to get involved in the conflict, it would likely escalate into a regional war.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel

"Israel recently launched Operation Rising Lion. It is a targeted military operation to contain the threat posed by Iran to Israel's existence. The operation will last as long as necessary to eliminate the threat."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement early Friday morning came after the rocket attacks began. For more than a week, Israel and Iran shooting at each other. About 260 people died and more than 1,500 were injured.

Aivars Groza, Latvian Ambassador to Israel

"The operation, of course, was carefully prepared. We can compare it to the operation of the Ukrainian services in Russia, when drones were hidden in various hidden places. All of them simultaneously struck different missile defense targets. So it was completely unexpected. It was unexpected even for the Israeli authorities and even for the Foreign Ministry."