Israel fucked around and found out. pic.twitter.com/DV7e2H4nis
— Machiavelli (@TheRISEofROD) June 14, 2025
Tehran’s retaliatory missile strikes on Israel, launched in response to Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets, penetrated Israel’s vaunted Iron Dome defense system, hitting central Tel Aviv and causing casualties and significant damage. The unprecedented attack, which began late Friday, June 13, 2025, has escalated tensions in the Middle East, raising fears of a broader conflict.
Iran’s Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported that “hundreds of ballistic missiles” were fired in what Tehran dubbed “Operation True Promise 3,” targeting Israeli military installations, including air force bases and the Kirya military zone in Tel Aviv, home to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) headquarters. The strikes followed Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, a massive offensive starting early Friday that killed 78 people in Iran, including senior military commanders and nuclear scientists, and damaged the Natanz nuclear facility.
Videos verified by The New York Times and The Times showed an Iranian missile striking central Tel Aviv near the Marganit Tower, close to the IDF headquarters, with a bright flash and loud explosion. Al Jazeera reported that at least one projectile hit a modern apartment block, igniting fires and damaging nearby buildings. Israeli emergency services confirmed 34 injuries in the Gush Dan region, including Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan, with one woman in critical condition and another in serious condition. Two deaths were reported in Rishon LeZion, south of Tel Aviv, where a missile struck a residential area, killing a 73-year-old man and a woman.
The IDF acknowledged that Iran launched over 100 missiles in multiple waves, with some bypassing the Iron Dome, which intercepted approximately 90% of threats heading toward populated areas. Brigadier General Effie Defrin admitted, “Despite our attack, Iran has capability to hurt Israel’s civilian front in a meaningful way,” noting that the barrage included ballistic missiles designed to overwhelm defenses. The U.S. military assisted in intercepting missiles, but several impacted sensitive sites, raising questions about the Iron Dome’s effectiveness against Iran’s advanced arsenal.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a televised address on Friday, vowed a “crushing response” to Israel’s “great crime,” stating, “The Zionist regime will not remain unscathed.” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian promised a “severe, wise, and strong answer,” while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed the strikes hit “strategic targets,” supported by satellite imagery and intercepted intelligence. The attack killed three Israelis and injured dozens, with rescue operations ongoing in Ramat Gan, where 15 people were trapped in a collapsed building.
Israel’s multilayered defense system, including the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow, has been celebrated for its 85-90% success rate against short-range rockets and missiles. However, Friday’s attack exposed vulnerabilities, as Iran’s ballistic missiles, with ranges up to 2,000 kilometers, struck targets 1,000 miles from launch sites. Analysts note that the Iron Dome is less effective against high-altitude, high-speed ballistic missiles, especially in large salvos.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a Saturday address, vowed to continue strikes on Iran, stating, “We will strike every site and every target of the ayatollahs’ regime.” The IDF confirmed ongoing attacks, targeting Iran’s oil and gas infrastructure, including the South Pars gas field and Asalouyeh refinery. Iran closed its airspace until 2 p.m. Saturday, and Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport remained shuttered, with major airlines canceling flights to Tel Aviv.
The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting on Friday, where Iran’s UN ambassador reported 78 deaths and over 320 injuries from Israel’s strikes, claiming most victims were civilians. China and Russia condemned Israel’s actions as violations of sovereignty, with China’s Fu Cong expressing alarm over attacks on nuclear facilities. UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged de-escalation, writing on X, “Enough escalation. Time to stop. Peace and diplomacy must prevail.”
The strikes have disrupted U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, with Iran pulling out of a scheduled sixth round in Oman. President Donald Trump, in a call with NBC News, said Iran “missed an opportunity” but suggested talks could resume, adding, “Now, they may have another opportunity. We’ll see.” Oil prices surged over 10% amid fears of supply disruptions, and Palestinians in Gaza expressed concerns that the conflict is diverting attention from their humanitarian crisis.
As both nations continue airstrikes, the risk of a wider war looms. Iran’s missile penetration of the Iron Dome marks a significant escalation, challenging Israel’s sense of invulnerability and underscoring the destructive potential of the ongoing conflict.
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