Israel Strikes Tehran and Major Iranian Cities with Jets and Missiles

A New Chapter in Middle East Conflict Begins

In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing Middle East tensions, Israel has launched a massive and unprecedented aerial assault on Tehran and several other major Iranian cities. The operation, reportedly involving more than 200 fighter jets, has targeted Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, key military command centers, and missile facilities—marking one of the most significant air campaigns in modern history.

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Operation Begins: Strikes Across Tehran and Beyond

The operation commenced in the early hours of June 13, 2025, as Israeli jets roared into Iranian airspace under the cover of darkness. Israeli F‑35I Adir stealth fighters, supported by F‑15 and F‑16 aircraft, conducted coordinated strikes on over 100 strategic targets. The air assault focused primarily on Tehran, Natanz, Isfahan, Khondab, and Parchin.

Key targets included:

• Iran’s nuclear centrifuge facilities

• Ballistic missile storage and launch systems

• Military universities associated with the IRGC

• State media broadcast centers

• Major power grid and communication systems

The skies over Tehran were filled with the sound of explosions and sirens as missiles rained down, hitting military zones and urban infrastructure alike.

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Civilian and Military Toll

The aftermath of the strikes has left Iran in turmoil. Initial reports suggest between 224 and 585 casualties, including a significant number of civilians. Hospitals in Tehran were quickly overwhelmed. Power outages, metro shutdowns, and destroyed water lines plunged the capital into chaos.

Eyewitnesses reported fires across multiple city blocks, collapsed buildings, and people fleeing en masse from densely populated areas. Public broadcast channels went off-air as studios were hit mid-transmission, creating further panic among the population.

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Iran Retaliates: Missiles and Drones Fired at Israel

Within hours of the Israeli air assault, Iran responded with a wave of missile and drone attacks targeting central and southern Israel. Over 400 ballistic missiles and more than 1,000 drones were launched. Israeli missile defense systems, including the Iron Dome and David’s Sling, intercepted many of the incoming threats, but some breached defenses, causing 24 confirmed deaths and hundreds of injuries.

Missile debris was seen in cities like Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Be’er Sheva. Emergency services remained on high alert as Israel braced for further waves of Iranian retaliation.

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Israel Claims Air Superiority

Israeli defense officials have declared total air superiority over Iranian skies, with minimal resistance from Iran’s air defense systems. According to military sources, Iran’s early warning systems and surface-to-air missile networks were neutralized in the first wave of the attack. This dominance allowed Israel to conduct additional bombing runs without facing serious threats from Iranian jets or radar-guided missiles.

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The U.S. Position: Strategic Patience or Imminent Involvement?

The United States has so far refrained from direct military intervention but has moved carrier strike groups into the Persian Gulf. President Trump, when asked about potential U.S. involvement, stated, “All options are on the table,” signaling the possibility of direct or indirect support to Israel.

U.S. bases in Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar have been placed on high alert, and additional air defense batteries have been deployed to protect American assets in the region. Military analysts suggest the U.S. may engage if Iran escalates the conflict further, especially by targeting American personnel or allies.

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Iran’s Warnings: “Full Regional War” Possible

Iran’s Supreme Leader, in a nationally televised address, condemned the Israeli attacks and warned of a “multi-front regional war” if Israel continues its military campaign. Iran has also threatened to target American military bases and naval assets if the U.S. joins the war effort.

There are reports that Iran is considering closing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route. If executed, such a move could disrupt global energy supplies and trigger a broader international crisis.

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Humanitarian Impact and Regional Fallout

The humanitarian situation in Iran is worsening rapidly. With critical infrastructure in ruins, thousands of families have been displaced. International aid organizations are warning of a potential refugee crisis, especially along Iran’s western borders.

Meanwhile, Gulf countries like the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia are on high alert, fearing spillover attacks from either side. Iraq and Syria have seen increased drone and missile activity, hinting at the involvement of regional proxy forces.

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Diplomatic Efforts Underway—But Fragile

World powers, including China, Russia, France, and Germany, are urging restraint and pushing for an immediate ceasefire. Emergency UN Security Council sessions have been convened, but no consensus has yet emerged. The lack of a neutral mediator makes peace negotiations more difficult.

The collapse of ongoing nuclear diplomacy between Iran and the West is almost certain, with both sides now entrenched in military confrontation rather than dialogue.

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Strategic Implications for the Middle East

This Israeli airstrike campaign is not just a military operation—it’s a game-changing event in Middle Eastern geopolitics. Here’s what’s at stake:

• Nuclear Proliferation: Iran’s damaged nuclear sites may trigger a rush toward weaponization or provoke new underground programs.

• U.S.-Iran-Israel Triangle: With the U.S. balancing support for Israel and regional stability, the risk of miscalculation is high.

• Proxy Warfare: Hezbollah, Iraqi militias, and Yemen’s Houthis may launch strikes in solidarity with Iran.

• Energy Crisis: A closed Strait of Hormuz could spike oil prices, affect shipping lanes, and shake global markets.

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Conclusion: A Dangerous New Phase

The Israeli strikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities have unleashed a volatile and unpredictable chain of events. With both sides now bloodied and defiant, and global powers caught between calls for peace and strategic interests, the Middle East teeters on the edge of a full-scale regional war.

Whether diplomacy can pull the world back from the brink—or whether we are witnessing the beginning of a much larger conflict—will become clearer in the days ahead.