Why Iran attacked Israel and what comes next

(CNN) — The wave of drones and missiles that& flew towards Israel overnight on Sunday brought with it a new phase of tension, uncertainty and confrontation in the Middle East.Iran launched the unprecedented attack in response to a suspected Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, earlier this month.It marked a new chapter in a discord between the two states that percolated for years and has spiralled since Israel declared war on Hamas last October.The next steps remain unclear, but Israel is facing pleas from its allies to step back from the brink of open warfare and choose a path of de-escalation.Here’s what you need to know.How did Iran attack Israel?More than 300 projectiles – including around 170 drones and over 120 ballistic missiles – were fired toward Israel in the immense aerial attack overnight. Approximately 350 rockets were fired from Iran, Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, according to Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari.However, “99%” of the projectiles were intercepted by Israel’s aerial defense systems and its allies, according to the Israeli military, with only a small number reaching Israeli territory.Tehran’s attack targeted the Nevatim airbase, an Iranian army official said on Sunday, alleging that this...