New Missile Strike
Iran launched a large-scale missile and drone offensive on Israel late Saturday night in what has become the most intense and direct confrontation between the two countries in years. The attack, dubbed “Operation True Promise III” by Tehran, resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people and injured more than 200 others across several major Israeli cities, including Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem.
This assault was Iran’s direct retaliation for Israeli airstrikes conducted earlier in the week, which had killed senior Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists.
Among those killed in the Israeli strikes were Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, and General Gholam Ali Rashid—key figures in Iran’s military leadership. The Israeli air raids, which reportedly also caused civilian casualties, sparked outrage in Tehran and set the stage for Iran’s unprecedented counterattack.
Iranian state media reported that more than 100 supersonic ballistic missiles were launched, specifically targeting Israeli military and industrial facilities. In Haifa, Iranian media claimed missiles struck oil depots and the city’s port infrastructure.
Fires engulfed parts of the Haifa oil refinery, sending thick smoke into the night sky. Israeli sources confirmed that the strikes also damaged ammonia storage tanks, triggering fears of toxic leaks. Power outages were reported in multiple northern cities, including Nazareth and Afula, after “precision strikes” on the electricity grid.
In Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, air raid sirens echoed as panicked residents rushed into shelters. A multi-storey building in central Tel Aviv was flattened, adding to the widespread sense of fear and chaos.
At least eight people were confirmed dead on-site, including three civilians. Over 200 individuals were treated for injuries, and dozens were still missing as search and rescue operations continued.
Despite deploying the Iron Dome air defense system, Israeli military sources admitted it had difficulty countering the incoming barrage. Many of the Iranian missiles were said to be supersonic and equipped with maneuverable warheads, making them harder to intercept.
In a swift response, Israel conducted retaliatory airstrikes on Tehran, hitting the Ministry of Defence and a military research facility in the Nobaniyed district. The Iranian government acknowledged the strikes, confirming partial damage but withholding casualty figures.
Explosions were heard across the capital, and anxiety gripped residents amid fears of further escalation. Meanwhile, the Israeli military claimed to have eliminated Mohammed Al-Ghammari, the military commander of Yemen’s Houthi militia, in a related strike in Yemen.
The Israeli military further escalated tensions by suggesting that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could be a potential future target. Though the military spokesperson said they were “not explicitly targeting” Khamenei, he stressed that “no option is off the table.” The statement was met with furious condemnation from Tehran, which warned of further retaliation if Iranian leadership or territory came under threat again.
According to Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sources, advanced missiles such as the Emad, Qadr, and Kheibar Shekan were used in the operation. These systems are among Iran’s most sophisticated, designed to evade radar and strike with high accuracy.
The dramatic escalation has sparked alarm worldwide. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern and called on both sides to de-escalate immediately. “We urge maximum restraint from all parties to avoid a broader regional conflict,” he said.
The United States, while reaffirming its commitment to Israel’s security, also advised caution. “We are in close contact with our regional partners and are monitoring the situation minute by minute,” a U.S. State Department spokesperson said.
As the region braces for possible further exchanges, the international community is watching with growing unease, concerned that the confrontation could spiral into a much wider Middle East conflict.
