Top Magazine Pro – On Friday, June 13, 2025, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, targeting Iran’s military and nuclear facilities in response to escalating regional tensions. The strike came just days after heightened alerts in Tel Aviv, signaling a broader conflict in the making. Several high-ranking Iranian generals and nuclear scientists were reportedly killed, and a uranium enrichment plant sustained major damage. Civilian casualties were also reported in the aftermath.
Iran’s Response: Operation True Promise 3
In retaliation, Iran responded the next day with Operation True Promise 3, launching a coordinated missile attack on Tel Aviv and nearby cities. One of the key targets hit was reportedly the Israeli Ministry of Defense building, although Israeli media appeared to downplay or obscure the extent of the damage.
Social media posts, however, revealed visible structural damage, prompting speculation that Iran used its cutting-edge Fattah-2 hypersonic missiles—a claim that has not yet been independently verified.
Advanced Defense Systems Fail to Intercept All Missiles
Despite Israel’s multilayered air defense systems—Arrow, David’s Sling, Iron Dome, and Patriot—numerous Iranian missiles managed to slip through and hit various urban centers. This exposed the lethal effectiveness of Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal, challenging long-held assumptions about Israeli air superiority.
According to Breaking Defense, Iranian ballistic missiles have ranges between 300 km and 2,000 km, and can carry warheads ranging from 400 kg to 1.5 tons.
Iran’s Missile Stockpile: Growing and Dangerous
Israeli officials claim that Iran currently possesses around 2,000 ballistic missiles, with intelligence estimates projecting that number could rise to 8,000 within two years. Separately, a report by CSIS (Center for Strategic and International Studies) puts the current figure at around 3,000 missiles.
Iranian state media reported that the country’s Supreme Leader had planned to retaliate with 1,000 missile launches, but multiple Iranian missile bases were struck by Israeli forces, complicating logistics and slowing deployment.
Waves of Destruction: Jerusalem, Haifa, and Beyond
The first wave of Iranian missiles launched on Saturday night after 11 PM, targeting Jerusalem and Haifa. The second wave followed around 2 AM. Israeli media reported at least 35 people missing after a direct hit in Bat Yam, just south of Tel Aviv. Emergency services confirmed a missile struck an eight-story building, killing six people and injuring around 180 others.
Another missile bypassed Israeli defenses and hit Rehovot, killing two civilians. One of the primary targets appeared to be a scientific research facility.
Civilian Airspace Closed, Energy Infrastructure Under Attack
As of today, Israeli airspace remains closed to civilian flights due to ongoing threats from Iranian drones and ballistic missiles. Simultaneously, energy infrastructure has come under fire. One of the main targets was a Haifa-based oil refinery, where although no injuries were reported, damage to pipelines and transmission lines forced several facilities offline.
Israeli Counterstrikes Escalate Tensions
In its latest wave of attacks, Israel destroyed a Boeing KC-747 aerial tanker, an aircraft unique to Iran, while it was parked at Mashhad Airport in northeastern Iran. The Israeli strikes also hit Iranian oil refineries, raising fears of a global oil price surge.
Furthermore, Israel reportedly targeted an intelligence building belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), killing General Mohammed Kazemi and his deputy.
Ballistic Missiles Redefining Modern Warfare
The ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel highlights the strategic significance of ballistic missiles in modern warfare. Their long-range capabilities and high payload capacity make them formidable tools for striking deep into enemy territory, even penetrating advanced defense systems.
Will the U.S. and Allies Intervene?
Uncertainty looms over whether the United States or its allies will assist Israel in countering Iran’s latest offensive. Former U.S. President Donald Trump took to social media to state that the United States was not involved in Israel’s initial strike, and expressed hope for a swift de-escalation and peace.
However, with the intensity and damage escalating, Israel may be forced to call for international reinforcements.
