The Islamic Republic of Iran has launched a large-scale retaliatory attack, firing over 100 hypersonic and ballistic missiles at Israel. The barrage breached Israeli air defence systems, striking deep inside Tel Aviv and other cities. At least 41 people were wounded, with two in critical condition.
Israeli military said that Iran has launched a retaliatory attack, firing 10 ballistic missiles towards Israel.
In response, Air defences in Iran’s capital Tehran have been activated to intercept new Israeli strikes, state media IRNA reported a day after Israel initiated a number of attacks on Iran’s nuclear programme and military command.
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The development marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two countries, following recent Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory. Israeli defence forces are currently assessing the damage and response options.
⚠️RAW FOOTAGE: Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles toward Israel in the past hours.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 13, 2025
The IDF cannot, and will not, allow Iran to attack our civilians. pic.twitter.com/IrDK05uErm
Iranian missile attacks injure at least 21 people in Israel, ambulance service said. Two seriously injured people were trapped in a building in the greater Tel Aviv area, the Israeli ambulance service added.
The Iron Dome doesn't work. pic.twitter.com/b8gVsDI9Zi
— Jackson Hinkle 🇺🇸 (@jacksonhinklle) June 13, 2025
According to Israeli media, multiple Iranian missiles have struck Tel Aviv, causing widespread alarm and prompting immediate emergency response measures.
Iran launched retaliatory airstrikes at Israel on Friday night, with explosions heard in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the country's two largest cities, following Israel's biggest-ever military strike against its longstanding enemy.
Air raid sirens sounded across Israel as authorities urged the public to take shelter. Missiles were seen over Tel Aviv's skyline, with the military saying Iran had fired two salvos.
Israel's military said Iran fired fewer than 100 missiles and most were intercepted or fell short. The U.S. military helped shoot down Iranian missiles headed for Israel, two U.S. officials said.
Israel's Channel 12 said two people were critically injured, eight moderately and 34 slightly from shrapnel.
Several buildings were struck in the attack including an apartment block in a residential neighbourhood in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv. Another building in central Tel Aviv was also struck, causing significant damage to multiple floors.
The Israeli strikes on Iran throughout the day and the Iranian retaliation raised fears of a broader regional conflagration, although Iran's allies Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon have been decimated by Israel.
Iran's state news agency IRNA said Tehran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel after Israel blasted Iran's huge Natanz underground nuclear site and killed its top military commanders. Iran says its nuclear programme is only for peaceful purposes.
Israeli officials said it may be some time before the extent of damage at Natanz was clear. Western countries have long accused Iran of refining uranium there to levels suitable for a bomb rather than civilian use.
The above-ground pilot enrichment plant at Natanz has been destroyed, U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi told the Security Council on Friday. He said the U.N. was still gathering information about Israeli attacks on two other facilities, the Fordow fuel enrichment plant and at Isfahan.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Israel of starting a war. A senior Iranian official said nowhere in Israel would be safe and revenge would be painful.
Iran's U.N. envoy Amir Saeid Iravani said 78 people, including senior military officials, were killed in Israel's strikes on Iran and more than 320 people were wounded, most of them civilians.
He accused the U.S. of being complicit in the attacks and said it shared full responsibility for the consequences.
This marks the most serious escalation yet in the ongoing confrontation between the two nations, following a series of Israeli strikes on Iranian targets earlier this week.
NEW - intense footage from #TelAviv, showing at least 2 impacts amid multiple in-air interceptions. pic.twitter.com/LF1lQbJC8w
— Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) June 13, 2025
Authorities in Israel are currently assessing the extent of the damage and potential casualties. More updates to follow as the situation unfolds.
What we know so far: Another wave of missiles launched toward Israel
Another wave of dozens of missiles has been launched toward Israel, an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson said Friday night.
“The attack is ongoing. Dozens of additional missiles were launched toward the State of Israel,” the IDF said.
Following an initial wave of munitions on Friday night, smoke could be seen rising from Tel Aviv and explosions were heard in both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Israel's casualties report
CNN reported that Iranian munitions fell on a community within Tel Aviv, but no injuries have been reported so far, according to an Israeli police spokesperson.
“A short time ago, the Israel Police received reports of fallen munitions in one of the communities within the Tel Aviv District. At this stage, no injuries have been reported, but property damage has occurred,” the spokesperson said.
“Police officers and bomb disposal experts are currently working to isolate the impact sites,” the spokesperson added.
What are hypersonic missiles?
Hypersonic missiles and ballistic missiles differ in their speed, maneuverability, and flight path.
Hypersonic missiles travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound) and can maneuver mid-flight, making them difficult to intercept.
Ballistic missiles, while also capable of hypersonic speeds during their reentry phase, follow a high-arching trajectory and have limited maneuverability.
US THAAD systems 'successfully' intercept Iranian Missiles in Defense of Israel
American-made THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) systems successfully intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles during Tehran’s massive strike on Israel late Friday night, according to Israel’s Army Radio citing a security source.
The advanced anti-ballistic missile batteries were reportedly deployed by US forces in the region, and activated amid the escalation to protect key Israeli assets and civilian areas. The interceptions mark a significant demonstration of the operational readiness and effectiveness of American missile defense technologies under real-time conflict conditions.
In a related development, Axios, quoting a senior US official, confirmed that the United States is actively assisting Israel in intercepting Iranian missiles as part of a broader defensive cooperation amid the unfolding crisis.
The involvement of THAAD systems highlights Washington’s direct military support for Israel in the face of one of the largest missile barrages launched by Iran. The coordinated defense underscores deepening US-Israel strategic ties and signals a strong deterrent message to Tehran and its regional allies.
The Pentagon has yet to officially comment on the scope of U.S. involvement, but reports suggest more assets may be mobilized if the conflict escalates further.
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