Israel gives its military a free hand to retaliate after Iran’s attack of nearly 200 ballistic missiles
TEHRAN: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-June 14th, 2025) Israel has given its military a free hand to retaliate after nearly 200 ballistic missiles were fired at the country by Iran since last night. In a fresh Israeli airstrike, 65 Iranian citizens — including 2 generals, 3 nuclear scientists, and 20 children — were killed. Israel has indicated more attacks could follow.
Tensions between Iran and Israel have escalated further. On Saturday morning, Iran launched its fifth major missile attack on Israel, firing dozens of missiles and raining them down on the Israeli capital, Tel Aviv.
According to reports, four Israelis were killed and over 63 injured in Iranian attacks. Iran also claimed to have shot down two of Israel’s most advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets.
Explosions were heard across Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Gush Dan, sparking panic among residents, who were instructed to take shelter. Tel Aviv’s nuclear research center was also targeted.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that in Operation “True Promise 3,” over 300 missiles had been launched at various targets across Israel.
While Iran claimed the downing of two F-35 jets, Israeli media reported that many of the 200 ballistic missiles fired were intercepted mid-air. Some missiles, however, hit critical sites including the Ministry of Defense building in Tel Aviv and areas in Gush Dan, resulting in major fires.
Air raid sirens echoed across Tel Aviv, and smoke was seen near Israel’s Ministry of Defense headquarters. At least five emergency zones were declared. Citizens rushed into underground bunkers amid screams and chaos.
The IRGC announced that dozens of targets had been hit and that this was just the beginning of Iran’s retaliation. “Israel will pay for the killing of our commanders, scientists, and civilians,” a senior IRGC official said, warning that no area in Israel would remain safe.
Iranian media claimed that after a brief pause, Iran launched another barrage of 100 ballistic missiles. Meanwhile, Israel claimed to have intercepted many of Iran’s drones and missiles mid-air. Israel's rescue services confirmed at least seven injuries.
In response to Iran’s attacks, Israel claimed it had struck Iran’s Isfahan nuclear site, destroying key facilities and killing two more Iranian generals. Israel’s military said the path to Tehran was now “clear,” and its air force was ready for further operations in Iranian airspace.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that if Iran continued missile attacks, Tehran would face devastating consequences. He described the Iranian regime as “taking its people hostage” and forcing them into a destructive confrontation.
Earlier, Israel had launched massive airstrikes using 200 fighter jets, targeting over 100 Iranian military installations, killing at least 86 people, including IRGC commanders, the army chief, and six nuclear scientists, while injuring over 300.
On Friday, Israeli strikes also hit Tabriz airport and Shiraz, with plumes of smoke reported.
Iran’s state news agency IRNA confirmed that Israeli airstrikes killed Armed Forces Chief Major General Mohammad Bagheri and IRGC Chief Commander Major General Hossein Salami. Also confirmed dead were nuclear scientists Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and former atomic chief Fereydoun Abbasi, along with IRGC HQ commander Major General Gholam Ali Rashid.
According to Reuters, six nuclear scientists were killed in the Israeli attacks, while senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Commander Ali Shamkhani, was severely injured. Other scientists reportedly killed include Abdul Hamid Manouchehr, Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari, Syed Amir Hossein Faghihi, Motabbali Zadeh, Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, and Fereydoun Abbasi.
Israeli military spokespersons stated that 200 fighter jets participated in the attacks, striking more than 100 targets. Intelligence agency Mossad reportedly planted precision-guided weapons near Iranian missile systems in advance.
British media, citing Iranian state tv, confirmed the deaths of two senior nuclear scientists, including Fereydoun Abbasi, former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, president of Islamic Azad University.
US declares neutrality in Iran-Israel conflict
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the United States was not involved in the Israeli attacks and that its top priority remains the safety of U.S. forces stationed in the region.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes reportedly targeted residential areas housing top Iranian military and political officials. Israel’s defense minister declared a state of emergency anticipating further retaliation from Iran.
Citizens in Jerusalem were awakened by sirens and warning alerts on their phones, creating an atmosphere of fear and panic. U.S. media reported that President Trump had called an emergency cabinet meeting in response to the unfolding crisis.
Foreign media confirmed that Israeli air raids targeted the IRGC headquarters in Tehran, killing Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri and IRGC commander Hossein Salami.
If verified, Salami would be one of the most senior Iranian military leaders killed in recent attacks. He had joined the IRGC during the 1980 Iran-Iraq war and was known for his hardline anti-U.S. stance.
Khamenei: “Israel has paved the way for its own painful fate”
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the Israeli strikes, stating that Israel had laid the foundation for its own destruction. In his morning address, he denounced the attacks on Tehran and other cities.
More strikes expected in ‘Operation Rising Line’
Israel named its offensive “Operation Rising Line.” Military officials confirmed the completion of the first phase and warned of even more powerful follow-up attacks over the next two weeks.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the launch of the operation, aimed at eliminating the existential threat posed by Iran. He stressed that the mission would continue until all threats were neutralized and Iran’s nuclear capabilities dismantled.
He warned that if Iran’s nuclear ambitions are not checked, it could develop nuclear weapons within months. Netanyahu called on the international community to recognize Iran’s nuclear program as a threat to global peace.
Israeli airstrikes have focused on nuclear and military installations, including long-range missile systems, according to senior Israeli military officials.
Israel declares nationwide emergency
Israel’s Home Front Command issued new public safety guidelines starting 3 a.m., limiting non-essential activities across the country. Educational institutions and public gatherings have been suspended, with only essential services allowed to operate.
Air raid sirens and emergency alerts caused panic in Jerusalem early morning.
Iran launches over 100 drones in retaliation
Iran retaliated by launching over 100 drones toward Israel, but according to the IDF, they were intercepted before reaching their targets.
IDF spokesperson Brigadier General Effi Defrin confirmed that the drone strike was neutralized and said last night’s airstrikes killed Iran’s Chief of Staff, the IRGC commander, and the head of Iran’s emergency military command.
Israeli military blocks foreign media coverage of missile attacks
A video circulating online shows Israeli security forces preventing an American journalist from broadcasting live from an area hit by Iranian missile strikes.
IAEA confirms Israeli strike on Natanz nuclear facility
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that the Natanz uranium enrichment facility in Iran was targeted during Friday morning’s Israeli airstrikes. The agency said it is closely monitoring the situation, including radiation levels and the safety of inspectors present at the site.
Natanz is Iran’s most critical and sensitive nuclear site, previously targeted by cyber and physical attacks, and this latest strike could mark a new chapter in regional tensions.
