The “Iron Dome” in Israel became a relevant topic amid the late 2024 missile attack from Iran, and the 2025 U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear sites.

In October 2024, ballistic missiles were launched, and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) vowed in a statement that it was “doing and will do everything necessary to protect the civilians of the State of Israel.” As Israel managed the missile attack from Iran, the IDF informed people how it was defending them, per CBS News. According to a statement obtained by the outlet, the IDF said, “The explosions you hear originate from interceptions or falls [of missiles]. The air defense system detects and intercepts threats all the time.”

As the conflict between Israel and Iran escalated, Donald Trump and his administration chose to target three nuclear sites in Iran in June 2025.

Learn about what Israel’s Iron Dome defense system is, below.

President Donald J. Trump Delivers Address to the Nation, June 21, 2025 https://t.co/yutRDvtWv0

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 22, 2025

What Is the Iron Dome?

The Iron Dome missile defense system was created to protect Israel from incoming short-range weaponry, per BBC News. The Iron Dome has batteries located across Israel, and each battery has launchers to fire at any interceptor missiles.

The Iron Dome was created following Israel’s 2006 conflict with the militant group Hezbollah. Israeli military spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus previously said that the “number of Israelis killed and wounded would be far higher if it had not been for the Iron Dome system, which has been a life saver as it always is,” per BBC News.

Why Is Iran Attacking Israel?

The Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations, New York, tweeted a statement in October 2024 when the missiles were launched against Israel. The statement via X (previously known as Twitter), read, “Iran’s legal, rational, and legitimate response to the terrorist acts of the Zionist regime — which involved targeting Iranian nationals and interests and infringing upon the national sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran — has been duly carried out. Should the Zionist regime dare to respond or commit further acts of malevolence, a subsequent and crushing response will ensue. Regional states and the Zionists’ supporters are advised to part ways with the regime.”