Iran Launches Massive Missile Barrage on Israel After Deadly Strike on Nuclear Sites
Tel Aviv, June 13, 2025
A dramatic escalation erupted in the Middle East late Friday, as Iran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles toward Israel in a sweeping retaliation for what Tehran described as an "act of war" — Israel’s surprise strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and high-ranking military personnel.
The missile assault triggered air raid sirens across major Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, as residents scrambled to shelters. Explosions echoed across the night sky, marking one of the most intense military exchanges between the two rivals in recent history.
“Not Half-Measured”: Tehran’s Response to Israeli Aggression
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a defiant statement just hours before the missile attack, asserting that the Islamic Republic would not tolerate Israel's “hit-and-run” tactics. “The Zionist regime will not remain unscathed from the consequences of its crime,” Khamenei warned. “The Iranian nation must be guaranteed that our response will not be half-measured.”
Acting on Khamenei's command, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) executed what it called a “crushing and precise” operation, targeting numerous Israeli military installations and airbases. Iranian state media, IRNA, confirmed that the counteroffensive was conducted in three waves during Friday night, striking dozens of strategic targets deep inside Israel.
Damage Reported in Central Tel Aviv
One of the most severe impacts was felt in central Tel Aviv, where a modern residential building was hit, sparking fires and causing heavy structural damage. Live video footage showed flames engulfing apartments as black smoke poured into the air. An adjacent building also sustained significant damage, with blown-out windows and twisted metal hanging from its frame.
According to the Israeli daily Haaretz, at least 15 people were injured, with one listed in moderate condition. Emergency services are on high alert, and the government has instructed citizens to remain in shelters and avoid public areas.
Fallout from Israel’s Initial Strike
The Iranian barrage came in response to a pre-dawn Israeli assault earlier on Friday, which struck over 200 strategic sites across Iran, including military compounds, air defense systems, and suspected nuclear facilities. Israeli warplanes reportedly targeted senior military commanders, resulting in the deaths of several top-ranking officials, including Major-General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, and Hossein Salami, head of the IRGC.
In a televised message, Major-General Mohammad Pakpour, who was rapidly appointed to succeed Salami, vowed severe retribution. Reading a letter addressed to Khamenei, he declared: “The gates of hell will open to the child-killing regime.”
Israel on High Alert for Additional Attacks
Before Iran’s missiles rained down, Israeli military spokesperson Brigadier-General Effie Defrin addressed the press, revealing that the army had not ceased operations following the initial strikes and warned of Iran’s capability to inflict “significant harm on the Israeli home front.”
Shortly after his briefing began, the press conference was abruptly cut short due to an imminent threat, believed to be the first wave of Iran’s retaliatory missile launches.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed earlier in the day that Israel was bracing for “several waves of Iranian attacks,” urging civilians to stay near bomb shelters and avoid large gatherings.
A Dangerous New Phase
This unfolding crisis marks a critical turning point in the longstanding shadow war between Israel and Iran. While the two nations have exchanged covert operations, cyberattacks, and proxy skirmishes for years, the latest actions represent an overt military confrontation — potentially spiraling into full-scale war.
As international observers call for restraint, fears are mounting that further escalation could drag in regional and global powers, destabilizing an already volatile Middle East.