Iran Launches Missile Barrage at Tel Aviv Amid Escalating Conflict

In a dramatic escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, Iran launched a significant wave of ballistic missiles targeting Tel Aviv, one of Israel’s most densely populated cities, on Friday, June 13, 2025. The attack, described as a retaliatory strike, follows Israel’s recent military operations against Iranian nuclear and military facilities, intensifying fears of a broader regional conflict.

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According to NBC News, Iran’s Islamic Republic News Agency reported that the country launched “hundreds of ballistic missiles” toward Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the assault, noting that “dozens of additional missiles” were fired, with explosions reported in Tel Aviv and the nearby city of Ramle. Video evidence captured rocket trails above Netanya, and Israel’s Iron Dome defense system was activated to intercept incoming projectiles.

The IDF issued immediate instructions for civilians to enter protected spaces and remain there until further notice. Air raid sirens echoed across Israel, and the Home Front Command urged the public to minimize movement in public areas and avoid gatherings. Initial reports from Israeli medics, cited by the Times of Israel, indicate that at least five people were wounded in the attack, with one person in moderate condition. Comprehensive casualty figures and damage assessments are still pending as the situation develops.

The missile barrage is Iran’s response to Israel’s preemptive strikes, codenamed “Operation Rising Lion,” which targeted Iran’s nuclear program and military infrastructure. These strikes, which began overnight and continued into Friday, hit key sites, including nuclear facilities near Natanz and Isfahan, as well as military bases and residential buildings of Iranian officials. Satellite imagery confirmed damage to at least four buildings at the Natanz facility, according to BBC News.

Iranian leadership, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and the newly appointed head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Mohammad Pakpour, had vowed a “powerful response” to Israel’s actions. Pakpour stated that Israel would face “huge and destructive consequences,” framing the missile launches as a defense of Iran’s sovereignty. The attack on Tel Aviv marks the largest Iranian assault on Israel during the ongoing conflict, surpassing a previous incident in April 2024, when Iran launched missiles and drones following a strike on its consulate in Damascus.

Israel’s military has been on high alert, with the IDF continuing to intercept incoming missiles and drones. The Times of Israel reported that Israeli air defenses were activated, and a senior military official described the current operations as “a war in Iran, not just an operation,” conducted 1,500 kilometers from Israel. Israel also warned Iran that any targeting of population centers with ballistic missiles would prompt strikes on Iranian regime leaders and state infrastructure, including oil refineries.

Iran, meanwhile, activated its air defenses over Tehran, intercepting projectiles in the capital, where Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s compound and the presidential office are located. Iranian state media reported a “massive explosion” in Isfahan, a city with several nuclear facilities, though it is unclear whether this was related to Israeli strikes or Iran’s own defensive actions.

The international community has responded with alarm, urging both sides to exercise restraint. French President Emmanuel Macron, German politician Friedrich Merz, and UK Labour leader Keir Starmer called for de-escalation, while Turkey, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and China condemned Israel’s initial strikes. The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to meet to address the crisis, as reported by BBC News.

The United States, a key ally of Israel, has denied direct involvement in the strikes but was informed beforehand. President Donald Trump praised Israel’s actions as “successful” and “excellent,” a stance that has divided his political base, according to BBC News. The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem ordered staff and family members to shelter in place until further notice, reflecting heightened security concerns.

The conflict has already had significant economic repercussions, with oil prices surging nearly 7% to approximately $73 per barrel, as reported by BBC News. This spike underscores global concerns about the stability of the Middle East, a critical region for energy markets.

Regionally, the conflict has spilled beyond Iran and Israel. A missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, aligned with Iran, landed near Hebron in the West Bank, injuring three Palestinian children, according to the Times of Israel. Air alerts were also reported in northern Israel near the Lebanon border, suggesting potential involvement of other actors in the conflict.

While precise casualty figures from the Tel Aviv attack are not yet available, Iranian state media reported significant losses from Israel’s strikes on Iran. According to Nour News, cited by BBC News, 78 people were killed and 329 injured in Tehran overnight, though these figures have not been independently verified. Six Iranian scientists and several senior military figures, including the chief of staff of the armed forces and IRGC commander-in-chief Hossein Salami, were also reported killed.

In Israel, the focus remains on protecting civilian populations. The IDF’s instructions to stay close to bomb shelters and the activation of air defenses highlight the severity of the threat posed by Iran’s missile barrage.

The missile attack on Tel Aviv represents a critical juncture in the Iran-Israel conflict, with both sides demonstrating their military capabilities and willingness to escalate. Analysts, such as Hugo Bachega of BBC News, note that Israel’s ability to penetrate deep into Iranian territory mirrors its strategy against Hezbollah, raising questions about Iran’s defensive vulnerabilities.

The international community faces a challenging task in preventing a wider war. Diplomatic efforts will likely focus on halting further military actions and addressing the underlying tensions driving the conflict. However, the scale of Iran’s attack and Israel’s ongoing operations suggest that de-escalation may be difficult in the short term.

Summary Table of Key Events

Event	Details	Source
Iran’s Missile Attack	Launched “hundreds of ballistic missiles” at Tel Aviv and other Israeli targets; explosions in Tel Aviv and Ramle.	NBC News
Israeli Strikes on Iran	Targeted nuclear sites (Natanz, Isfahan), military bases, and officials’ residences under “Operation Rising Lion.”	BBC News
Casualties in Israel	At least five wounded, one in moderate condition.	Times of Israel
Casualties in Iran	78 killed, 329 injured in Tehran (unverified); six scientists and senior military figures killed.	BBC News
International Response	Calls for restraint from France, Germany, UK; condemnation from Turkey, Oman, Saudi Arabia, China.	BBC News
Economic Impact	Oil prices surged nearly 7% to ~$73/barrel.	BBC News

The missile attack on Tel Aviv underscores the volatile nature of the Iran-Israel conflict and the potential for rapid escalation. As both nations continue their military operations, the international community is grappling with the challenge of preventing a broader war. The coming hours and days will be critical in determining the trajectory of this crisis, with global attention focused on diplomatic efforts to restore stability.