Iran Retaliates with Ballistic Missile Barrage Over Israel \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Israel launched a preemptive strike on Iranian nuclear and military installations—including Natanz, Fordo, and Isfahan—using warplanes and smuggled drones. In response, Iran fired dozens of ballistic missiles at Israel, targeting areas above Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The confrontation has triggered global concern over potential regional escalation and wider conflict.
Quick Looks
- Preemptive Strikes: Israeli jets and drones hit key Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities and air defense systems.
- Iranian Retaliation: Over 100 ballistic missiles launched; explosions reported over Jerusalem, Tel Aviv; civilian injuries confirmed.
- High-Level Casualties: Iran confirms deaths of three top military generals and key nuclear scientists.
- Global Fallout: U.N. emergency session called; regional leaders urge de-escalation; U.S. boosts defence presence.
- Strategic Implications: Israel acted to prevent Iran’s nuclear weapon development; tensions intensified by Hamas October 2023 attack and U.S. political shifts.
- Public Response: Israelis stockpiling supplies; widespread support, but public sentiment may shift if casualties rise.
Deep Look
In a dramatic and potentially game-changing move, Israel launched a massive preemptive military operation targeting the core of Iran’s nuclear program and military infrastructure early Friday. Utilizing warplanes and covertly smuggled drones, Israeli forces struck approximately 100 strategic sites—including Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities at Natanz, Fordo, and Isfahan. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) coordinated the attacks over months, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating the mission was devised shortly after the assassination of Hezbollah’s leader in late 2023.
The operation comes amid a rapidly shifting geopolitical climate marked by the reelection of President Donald Trump, whose administration has signaled stronger support for Israel’s military initiatives and resumed a hardline posture toward Tehran. Trump’s return to office is widely believed to have emboldened Netanyahu, who confirmed that the U.S. was informed in advance, although Washington was not directly involved.
Iran responded with force, launching more than 100 ballistic missiles toward Israeli territory in retaliation. Explosions illuminated the skies above Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, with buildings shaking under the pressure of intercepted strikes. A Tel Aviv hospital treated at least 15 civilian injuries. The IDF, backed by U.S. air defense systems already positioned in the region, intercepted the bulk of the incoming projectiles before they could cause wider devastation.
In a fiery statement, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the Israeli operation a “great crime” and vowed that it would not go unpunished. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi formally accused Israel of “state terrorism” in a letter to the United Nations Security Council, which convened an emergency session in response.
Among the most devastating outcomes for Iran was the confirmed death of three top military officials: Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, chief of the Iranian armed forces; Gen. Hossein Salami, commander of the IRGC; and Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of Iran’s ballistic missile program. Multiple nuclear scientists and engineers were also killed, delivering a major blow to Iran’s strategic planning and its controversial nuclear program.
Israeli military officials said the Natanz facility was “significantly damaged”, and additional sites—like Isfahan and Fordo—were severely impaired. These locations represent the heart of Iran’s uranium enrichment capabilities, which Israeli and U.S. intelligence agencies have long suspected were aimed at developing a nuclear weapon, despite Iran’s claims of peaceful intentions.
The Trump administration defended Israel’s right to self-defense. Speaking from the White House, President Trump urged Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions and warned against any further military escalation. On his Truth Social platform, he wrote: “Iran must make a deal before there is nothing left. Israel will not stop until the threat is removed.”
Meanwhile, the Pentagon began repositioning assets in the Middle East, including warships and missile defense systems, to deter retaliatory attacks against U.S. forces. The Trump administration also approved voluntary evacuations for American diplomatic families in Iraq and other nearby regions.
Domestically in Israel, the operation was met with widespread support—even from the political opposition. Yair Lapid, Netanyahu’s chief rival, offered “full backing” for the mission, reflecting a unified stance on what many Israelis see as an existential threat. However, security analysts caution that prolonged conflict or significant casualties could quickly erode that consensus.
On the streets of Israeli cities like Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, residents rushed to stock up on water, food, and medical supplies. Public transportation slowed, and most public areas emptied as fears of further Iranian retaliation mounted.
Iran’s regional allies, including Hezbollah, issued statements condemning the Israeli assault but have so far refrained from military involvement. The Lebanese-based militia’s leadership was decimated in a recent conflict with Israel in late 2024, making immediate re-engagement unlikely.
The broader strategic implications are stark. The strikes demonstrate Israel’s ability to penetrate deep into Iranian territory and deliver coordinated, multi-pronged attacks against even the most fortified sites. International watchdogs and nuclear nonproliferation advocates now warn that the confrontation could derail decades of diplomacy and spark a regional arms race.
In an unprecedented move, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) censured Iran earlier this week for failing to cooperate with inspections, prompting Tehran to announce plans to open a third enrichment facility and install more advanced centrifuges. Israeli officials said this development, combined with intelligence about potential nuclear weapon advancements, triggered the urgency behind the preemptive operation.
While Iran has not publicly declared an active nuclear weapons program, Western intelligence assessments suggest that the country could be months away from producing weapons-grade uranium. Israel’s leadership believes that waiting any longer would have posed a direct threat to its national survival.
Prime Minister Netanyahu framed the attack as not just a military strike—but as a bold stand against tyranny. “To the people of Iran, this is not your war,” he said in a recorded message. “Our war is against the brutal dictatorship that has ruled over you for 46 years.”
As both nations brace for potential continuation of the conflict, the next days will be critical. Israel has indicated it is prepared for a campaign lasting up to two weeks, with more strikes possible depending on Iranian military movements. The international community, while urging calm, remains deeply concerned that this clash between two of the region’s most powerful forces could escalate into a full-scale war.
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