Tel Aviv and Jerusalem Rattled by Iranian Missiles After Israeli Airstrikes on Nuclear Sites

Explosions reverberated through Tel Aviv and Jerusalem late Friday night, just moments after the Israeli military alerted the public to an imminent wave of Iranian ballistic missiles. The warning came with little time for residents to react before air raid sirens screamed across the cities and the skies lit up with defense system activity.

Reuters video captured a missile crashing into Tel Aviv, sending up a dark plume of smoke visible across the city. Both Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya reported that Iranian missiles had successfully entered Israeli airspace, despite attempts by Israel’s Iron Dome and U.S.-supported air-defense systems to intercept them.

The missile attack, dubbed “Operation True Promise III” by Iran, followed a high-profile Israeli operation earlier in the day. Known as “Operation Rising Lion,” the Israeli strikes reportedly killed several high-ranking IRGC commanders, including Hossein Salami, and disabled key parts of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

Iran claimed to have fired over 150 ballistic missiles at Israeli targets in a two-phase strike, aiming at major cities. Israeli military sources countered that fewer than 100 missiles actually made it into their airspace, with most intercepted. However, some did land, causing significant disruption and injuries.

Buildings in Tel Aviv and nearby areas suffered direct hits, shattering windows and igniting fires. At least 22 people were reported injured, two of them critically, according to emergency response officials. Residents described the night as terrifying, with explosions felt throughout urban neighborhoods.

Iranian state media said the Israeli airstrikes earlier that day killed 78 people and injured more than 320. The back-and-forth attacks have raised concerns of further escalation, drawing warnings from international leaders who fear the conflict could spiral into a broader regional war.

The United Nations Security Council is expected to meet urgently at Iran’s request. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities have mobilized reservists and urged the public to remain in protected shelters, warning that additional waves of missile attacks remain a serious threat in the coming hours.