In a significant escalation of hostilities, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that Israeli airstrikes targeted multiple sites in Tehran, including military and nuclear facilities, early Saturday, June 14, 2025. The strikes are part of Israel’s ongoing Operation Rising Lion, aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear ambitions and missile capabilities.
Concurrently, Israel detected a fresh wave of ballistic missiles launched from Iran toward Israeli territory. The Israeli military reported activating its air defense systems, successfully intercepting many of the incoming missiles as air raid sirens blared across cities including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, prompting civilians to seek shelter.
Iranian state media reported explosions in Tehran, particularly near Mehrabad airport, which houses an air force base close to key leadership sites. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed multiple missile barrages against Israeli urban and military targets, including a third wave of attacks on Saturday following earlier strikes on Friday night.
The Israeli Air Force also expanded its campaign to strike Iranian energy infrastructure, hitting the South Pars gas field and other facilities in southern Iran’s Bushehr province, causing fires and damage. Israeli officials warned that their air force now has the capability to strike deep into Iranian territory, including Tehran.
Casualties have been reported on both sides. Iranian sources claim dozens of civilians, including children, have died in Israeli strikes on residential areas and nuclear sites, while Israel has suffered fatalities and injuries from Iranian missile attacks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue targeting every Iranian military and nuclear site, declaring that Israel’s goal is to eliminate the dual threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program and ballistic missile arsenal.
This exchange marks one of the most intense direct confrontations between Israel and Iran in decades, raising fears of a prolonged and wider regional conflict.
