Iran launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Israeli territory overnight, in direct retaliation for Israeli airstrikes on military and strategic sites inside Iran. The assault, described as one of the most intense in recent history, has left at least ten Israelis dead and over 200 injured, according to emergency and military sources.
Initial reports indicate that six people were killed in Bat Yam, where residential buildings collapsed under direct hits. In northern Galilee, at least four others died, including women and children. Emergency crews continue to search the rubble, with dozens more missing or trapped. Hospitals across central Israel report treating over 200 wounded, including dozens in critical condition.
The assault began around midnight and came in several waves. Targets included Bat Yam, Rehovot, Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv, and parts of the Galilee, with sirens blaring across the country. Despite the deployment of Israel’s Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow missile defense systems, multiple projectiles reached civilian areas.
Iran’s state media described the operation as “True Promise III”, claiming over 150 ballistic missiles and numerous attack drones were launched toward Israeli military and strategic assets. Iranian officials stated that the barrage was a “direct and proportionate response” to Israeli airstrikes the previous night on Iran’s defense ministry and oil infrastructure.
In response, the Israeli Air Force carried out airstrikes on multiple Iranian facilities, including the South Pars gas field, Tehran’s main oil refinery, and military headquarters outside the capital. Explosions and fires were reported in western Tehran, and satellite imagery shows damage to strategic compounds.
This marks the third consecutive night of direct military engagement between the two countries, with casualties reported on both sides. Israeli sources confirmed that dozens of Iranian Revolutionary Guard personnel were killed in the initial strikes.
The Houthis in Yemen, aligned with Iran, also claimed responsibility for launching missiles toward Israeli territory during the overnight assault. Though most were intercepted, their participation signals the broader scope of Iranian coordination in the region.
Flights across the region were grounded, oil prices surged by over 10%, and global shipping insurers raised risk levels for the Red Sea and Persian Gulf corridors.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed “further decisive action” if the attacks continue.
U.S. President Donald Trump, in a statement to Fox News, said the conflict “could be ended quickly” if Iran backed off its aggression, but he confirmed that the U.S. was fully aware of Israel’s initial strike plan.
The UK raised its terror alert level and advised against all non-essential travel to the Middle East. France and Germany jointly called for an emergency UN Security Council session and urged de-escalation. Military analysts warn that the scale and precision of the Iranian missile attack, combined with limited success of interception systems, show an increasing risk of all-out war. Experts say that if Tehran escalates further or if U.S. forces are drawn directly into the conflict, the entire region could plunge into a wider military confrontation
