Escalating Conflict: Iran Responds to Israel’s Major Military Operation
The Middle East witnessed a sharp escalation as Iran launched a series of missile strikes targeting Israel, following a massive Israeli offensive against Iranian nuclear and military sites. Explosions echoed across Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, triggering air raid sirens and urgent shelter warnings for civilians.
Israel's Initial Strike: Operation Rising Lion
The confrontation began when Israel conducted one of its most extensive military campaigns in history, dubbed Operation Rising Lion. Late Thursday night, Israeli warplanes and drones, some reportedly pre-positioned deep within Iranian territory, struck critical targets including nuclear facilities, ballistic missile production centers, and military command hubs.
These strikes reportedly eliminated several top Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists, severely damaging Iran’s strategic capabilities.
Iran’s Missile Retaliation: "Everyone Will Feel It"
In a swift response, Iran unleashed a barrage of ballistic missiles targeting central Tel Aviv and surrounding areas. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) took responsibility, emphasizing the precision of their strikes on military centers and airbases linked to the Israeli assault. Despite Israel’s claims of intercepting many missiles, the IRGC asserted that numerous ballistic missiles hit key strategic locations.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had warned that Israel should brace for "severe punishment," a statement swiftly followed by missile attacks that shook Israeli cities and tested their air defenses.
Netanyahu’s Defiant Message: “More Is On The Way”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a forceful declaration following the attacks. He announced the elimination of top Iranian military and nuclear figures and significant damage to Iran’s enrichment facilities and missile arsenal. Netanyahu directly addressed the Iranian populace, highlighting their regime’s decades-long oppression and Israel’s resolve to defend itself.
He warned ominously, "More is on the way," signaling a likely escalation that materialized shortly after with renewed Iranian missile launches.
ODF and IDF Responses
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shared video footage of naval missile interceptions against incoming Iranian drones over Israeli waters, underscoring their preparedness. They also highlighted the areas under missile threat and denounced the targeting of Israeli civilians by Iranian forces, urging the global community not to remain silent in the face of aggression.
Continuous real-time military coordination was reported, with Israeli leadership closely monitoring the evolving situation.
A Warning from Iran and Global Reactions
Iranian officials warned that attacks would intensify further and threatened to strike regional bases of any country supporting Israel. Meanwhile, the U.S. reaffirmed its support for Israel, with former President Donald Trump expressing a stern stance toward Tehran and praising Israeli military operations.
Trump reiterated that Iran was given chances to negotiate nuclear agreements but failed to capitalize on them, predicting further Israeli actions against Iran.
What Lies Ahead?
As missiles continued crossing the skies over the region, the world watched with concern, hoping that the confrontation does not spiral into a wider conflict. Both sides have signaled readiness for further engagements, leaving hopes for calm in the near future tenuous at best.
