In a major escalation of regional tensions, Iran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel early Friday, signaling the beginning of Tehran’s retaliation for recent Israeli airstrikes on key Iranian military and nuclear sites. Iranian state media announced that the response had “officially begun.”
Air raid sirens blared across Jerusalem and Tel Aviv as explosions echoed through both cities. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed incoming missile threats and instructed residents to take shelter. Live reports from international correspondents confirmed that some missiles were intercepted mid-air.
The attack was prompted by Israeli strikes that targeted nuclear facilities in Natanz, military sites in Tabriz and Shiraz, and reportedly killed several top Iranian officials, scientists, and civilians. Among the casualties were six prominent Iranian nuclear scientists and three senior commanders.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed a full-force response, promising that Israel would face “severe punishment” and a “bitter fate.” In a national address, he declared that Iran would not tolerate further aggression and would continue to pursue justice for those killed.
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In response, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a military campaign aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the operation was essential to Israel’s survival, emphasizing that it would continue until the Iranian threat was neutralized.
While Iran claims the strikes were a legitimate defense against Israeli attacks, Israel maintains that its actions are preemptive measures to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons—despite Tehran’s assertion that its program is peaceful.
The conflict also caused regional chaos, including flight suspensions across Israel, Iran, Iraq, and Jordan. Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport was shut down, and Iran closed its airspace until further notice. El Al Airlines suspended all operations.
World leaders have called for restraint, while the United States denied any involvement in Israel’s strikes. U.S. officials emphasized the need to protect American personnel in the region. The State Department issued a shelter-in-place order for U.S. government employees in Israel.
Meanwhile, Iran has requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council and warned both Israel and the U.S. of “serious consequences.”
Markets reacted sharply to the conflict, with global stocks falling and oil prices spiking. As the situation unfolds, fears of a wider regional war loom large.
