Iran Launches Missile Strikes on Israel in Retaliation for Attacks on its Nuclear and Military Sites
The situation remains tense as Israel braces for further retaliatory strikes.
In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, Iran launched missile attacks on Friday evening, on multiple locations across Israel in response to a large-scale Israeli military operation targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and military leadership.
Iran’s decisive retaliatory operation against Israel, dubbed “True Promise 3,” has begun.
— IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) June 13, 2025
Following explosions in Tel Aviv and other areas, smoke plumes were seen rising over the city, while sirens sounded across Israel warning civilians to seek shelter.
🚨 Footage from Tel Aviv captures moment ballistic missile launched by Iran struck earlier pic.twitter.com/HFEQ8vJteb
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) June 13, 2025
🔴 ایران نے تل ابیب پر میزائلوں کی بارش کر دی۔
ایرانی ذرائع کے مطابق 150 سے زائد میزائل فائر کیے گئے ہیں۔ pic.twitter.com/OZ3qnlLI3C— RTEUrdu (@RTEUrdu) June 13, 2025
A televised briefing from Israel’s military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin was stopped with an Israeli official saying it was due to an incoming Iranian attack.
“The live feed of BG Defrin’s statement was cut due to an incoming Iranian attack on central Israel,” the official stated after the army ordered Israelis to stay near protected spaces and avoid gatherings as it continued to attack targets in the Islamic republic.
The Israeli military confirmed that missiles fired from Iran were detected heading towards Israeli territory and urged all civilians to move to protected shelters immediately.
Earlier, Israel launched a massive preemptive strike named “Operation Rising Lion,” targeting Iran’s nuclear program, missile manufacturing sites, and senior military officials.
The attacks reportedly involved over 200 Israeli aircraft striking around 100 targets, including nuclear enrichment facilities at Natanz, Khondab, and Khorramabad, as well as military bases and private residences of top commanders.
The strikes resulted in significant damage and the deaths of several high-ranking Iranian military leaders, including the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hossein Salami, and Iran’s Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Major General Mohammad Bagheri. Key nuclear scientists were also killed in the attacks.
The Israeli government declared a state of emergency and deployed reservists nationwide in anticipation of ongoing conflict, which Israeli officials say may last days or even weeks. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed air superiority over Iran and stated that many Iranian missiles and drones launched in retaliation had been intercepted or destroyed.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Statement
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement that Israel initiated a war and said it will not be allowed to do “hit and run” attacks without grave consequences.
“The Zionist regime [Israel] will not remain unscathed from the consequences of its crime. The Iranian nation must be guaranteed that our response will not be half-measured,” Khamenei said in a statement.
