The direct military strike on Tuesday came after senior military commanders of the Revolutionary Guards Corps convinced the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, that it was the only course of action if Iran wanted to appear strong, according to three Iranian officials.

Israeli leaders have vowed to retaliate against Iran for Tuesday's ballistic missile barrage, though it's unclear how and when they will do that.

The attack came days after Israel killed Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah, a key Tehran ally, and as Israeli ground forces enter Lebanon, sparking fear of an even wider war.