Barrages of Iranian missiles and rockets struck Tel Aviv early on Saturday, while explosions were heard in Jerusalem and other parts of the country, as hostilities between the Middle East’s two biggest adversaries escalated.
The fresh wave of airstrikes came a day after Israel launched its largest-ever offensive against Iran, targeting nuclear facilities, killing top military commanders, and destroying critical infrastructure. Meanwhile, the Israeli army launched a third round of airstrikes on Tehran, with explosions reported across several parts of the city.
Iran’s assault, dubbed ‘Operation True Promise’, killed at least three people across Israel and injured around 34 others, as the missiles breached the country’s Iron Dome defence system. Israel’s ‘Operation Rising Lion’, which launched on Friday and continued on Saturday, reportedly killed at least 78 people, mostly civilians, and left over 320 injured.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu warned that “more is on the way,” declaring that Israel’s efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear programme are “just beginning.” Netanyahu said the offensive is directed against what he called the “murderous Islamic regime that oppresses and impoverishes the Iranian people.” He asserted that the campaign is aimed at eliminating what he described as an “existential threat” posed by Iran.
Iran’s barrage of rockets on Israel came after a televised address from Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who pledged: “The armed forces of the Islamic republic will inflict heavy blows upon this malevolent enemy.” He warned the consequences of Israel’s attack “will bring it to ruin”.
Israel said that the attack was planned way back in November 2024, shortly after the elimination of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. In the current operation, Israel deployed warplanes and drones previously smuggled into the country to assault key facilities and kill top generals and scientists.