Iran Missiles Kill 8, Israel Claims Air Superiority over Tehran/ newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Iran fired 100 missiles into Israel, killing eight and injuring dozens, while Israel claimed aerial dominance over Tehran. Israel struck key Quds Force command centers, escalating a deadly conflict now in its fourth day. Explosions rocked Tel Aviv and Petah Tikva, with widespread destruction.
Iran Missiles Kill 5, Israel Claims Air Superiority: Quick Looks
- Iran launched over 100 missiles, killing at least 8 in Israel.
- Israel claims air superiority over Tehran after strikes on Quds Force.
- Israeli military says 120 missile launchers destroyed in Iran.
- American consulate in Tel Aviv sustained minor damage in blasts.
- Petah Tikva and Tel Aviv hit; homes destroyed, dozens wounded.
- Iran vows more severe retaliation for Israeli strikes.
- Israel launched initial operation to target nuclear and military assets.
- Iranian officials report 224 dead, over 1,200 wounded.
- Iranian doctor executed for alleged Mossad ties.
- UN agency monitors potential nuclear threats amid rising tensions.
Iran Missiles Kill 5, Israel Claims Air Superiority over Tehran
Deep Look
In the early hours of Monday, Iran intensified its ongoing retaliation against Israel by firing over 100 missiles, killing at least eight civilians and injuring dozens more. As the missile barrage rocked cities across central Israel, the Israeli military responded with a show of force, claiming it had gained complete air superiority over Tehran and devastated Iran’s missile infrastructure.
Israel Claims the Skies Over Tehran
Brigadier General Effie Defrin, spokesperson for the Israeli military, announced that Israeli jets now fly over Tehran “without facing major threats.” According to Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), fighter jets have destroyed 120 of Iran’s surface-to-surface missile launchers—around one-third of the country’s arsenal—and hit ten Quds Force command centers.
These targets, located within the Iranian capital, Tehran, belonged to the Quds Force, the elite external operations wing of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Israeli officials called the strikes a “comprehensive blow to the Iranian threat.”
Death and Destruction Across Israel
The Iranian missiles struck multiple civilian sites, including residential buildings in Petah Tikva, a central city near Tel Aviv. The blasts shattered windows, collapsed apartment walls, and left rubble-strewn ruins in their wake.
Emergency responders reported five fatalities, including four elderly residents in their 70s. A fifth victim’s identity was not immediately released. The Israeli Magen David Adom (MDA) service said more than 87 people were hospitalized with injuries, and search teams continued to look for others trapped beneath the debris.
Tel Aviv also experienced powerful blasts, most of which appeared to have been intercepted by Israel’s missile defense systems. Nonetheless, the U.S. Consulate in the city suffered minor damage from nearby explosions. Ambassador Mike Huckabee confirmed there were no injuries among U.S. personnel.
Israeli Public Supports Escalation
Despite the civilian toll, many Israeli citizens voiced support for the government’s aggressive response. One Petah Tikva resident, Yoram Suki, described how his home was destroyed, yet he encouraged continued strikes on Iran. “It’s totally worth it,” he said. “This is for the sake of our children and grandchildren.”
Medical teams recounted harrowing scenes of rescues amid fires and debris. Paramedic Dr. Gal Rosen described pulling a 4-day-old baby from the rubble while parts of the building continued to burn.
Iran Warns of Harsher Strikes
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard issued a stern warning on Monday, vowing that future strikes would be “more forceful, severe, precise and destructive than previous ones.” Iran reported 224 deaths and over 1,200 injuries since the Israeli strikes began on Friday. Rights organizations suggest the true numbers could be significantly higher.
Washington-based Human Rights Activists claimed to have verified over 400 deaths, including 197 civilians, and criticized the Iranian government for underreporting casualties.
Nuclear Facility Threat and Espionage Claims
As the violence escalates, international observers worry about the security of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Israel’s initial strikes included uranium enrichment sites, raising fears of radioactive or chemical contamination. The International Atomic Energy Agency has warned that Iran has enough enriched uranium to build multiple nuclear weapons, though there’s no indication of a current weaponization effort.
Amid rising tensions, Iran executed a doctor, Esmail Fekri, accused of supplying Israel’s Mossad with classified information. Iranian authorities claim Fekri had been imprisoned since 2023 and was hanged for espionage.
Additionally, Iran has detained several individuals it accuses of helping Israel coordinate the drone and missile operations now devastating parts of the country.
No Signs of Ceasefire
Although Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi previously stated that Iran would halt strikes if Israel did the same, the ongoing exchange of fire shows no signs of abating. Israel’s targeting of oil refineries and government buildings has further inflamed the situation.
Analysts warn that continued escalation risks dragging regional and global powers into the fray, especially with U.S. assets now being affected and nuclear tensions looming in the background.
As both sides dig in, diplomatic options appear to be shrinking. The international community watches with growing concern as the Middle East teeters on the brink of a much broader conflict.
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