In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, Iran launched missile strikes on Israel early Tuesday, intensifying what Tehran has described as a “retaliation campaign” against repeated Israeli attacks on Iranian soil.
The strikes reportedly targeted military, intelligence, and strategic infrastructure across Israel, including near the Mossad headquarters in Tel Aviv.
Israeli media confirmed heavy smoke and explosions in the city, with video footage showing chaotic scenes in residential areas. In Herzliya, a parked bus was hit and set ablaze, while another projectile landed in Ibthan. Though Israel's military claimed to have intercepted several incoming missiles, local reports confirmed damage in multiple regions.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that this wave of attacks was “more powerful and impactful” than previous operations. According to Iranian officials, the strikes aimed to weaken Israel's intelligence capabilities while avoiding civilian casualties. However, the attack has sent shockwaves through Israeli society, reigniting fears of a prolonged regional conflict.
Iran's missile response came in the wake of deadly Israeli airstrikes inside Iran, particularly in Lorestan and Isfahan provinces. According to Iranian media and government officials, at least 21 civilians were killed in Lorestan alone. In Isfahan, a missile hit a military checkpoint in the city of Kashan, killing three and injuring four others. The strikes also reportedly targeted nuclear scientists and senior military officers in earlier assaults.
One of the most high-profile Israeli targets was Iran's state-run broadcaster IRIB in Tehran. A direct strike on its headquarters during a live broadcast resulted in the death of Masoumeh Azimi, a staff member, while several journalists sustained injuries. Despite the attack, anchor Sahar Emami remained on air, declaring “Allahu Akbar” in a defiant moment that quickly gained traction on social media.
At least four projectiles hit the IRIB building, severely damaging the news and political affairs department. The broadcast briefly went off-air before being restored. IRIB’s political affairs deputy, Hassan Abedini, appeared live moments later, denouncing the incident as a “diabolical terrorist crime.”
The Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the strike as a “war crime”, urging the United Nations to hold Israel accountable for targeting journalists and media infrastructure. UN Secretary-General António Guterres echoed this sentiment, strongly condemning the attack and emphasizing that media workers and healthcare professionals are protected under international law.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) also criticized Israel’s growing trend of media targeting, warning that the ongoing impunity has led to a “worrying normalization” of attacks on journalists. Over 250 journalists have reportedly been killed in Gaza alone since the conflict flared in October 2023.
Meanwhile, the IRGC has declared that Iran launched missile strikes not just as a show of force but as a calibrated message to deter further Israeli provocations. Tehran maintains that its military operations are grounded in self-defense and will persist if Israel continues its incursions.
This latest exchange marks one of the most severe escalations since the beginning of hostilities, prompting global concerns over regional stability. The United States, which brokered a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Pakistan in May, has yet to issue a formal statement on the latest events.
As the situation unfolds, the world watches anxiously, with many fearing a broader conflict that could engulf more nations in the region. For now, both Tehran and Tel Aviv remain locked in a high-stakes confrontation, with diplomacy hanging by a thread.
