Iran Launches Massive Missile Attack on Israel in Retaliation for Deadly Strikes
Tehran initiates "Operation True Promise 3" with hundreds of ballistic missiles after Israel targets nuclear and military facilities, killing top Iranian commanders.
Watan-Iran launched a major missile attack on Israel on Friday evening, in retaliation for a large-scale Israeli assault earlier that day which targeted nuclear and military facilities inside Iran, resulting in the deaths of several senior Iranian military commanders.
According to Iran’s official IRNA news agency, “The crushing Iranian response has begun with the launch of hundreds of ballistic missiles.” A senior military official confirmed that “dozens of ballistic missiles are now heading toward Israel.”
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement declaring the start of “Operation True Promise 3,” stating it was “a decisive and precise response targeting dozens of Israeli military sites and airbases.”
Reuters quoted a senior Iranian official as saying, “We have just begun responding to Israel’s attack, and they will pay a heavy price for killing our commanders, scientists, and civilians.”
In response, the Israeli military confirmed it had detected missile launches from Iran toward Israeli territory and said the air defense systems were actively intercepting threats, urging civilians to “enter shelters and remain there until further notice.” Explosions were reported in the Tel Aviv area, with initial reports suggesting that several missiles had landed. Israeli media estimated that around 100 missiles were launched from Iran.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader stated in a televised speech, “The armed forces will move with full force and humiliate the Zionist entity, leaving it in a pitiful state.” He assured the Iranian public that “there will be no shortcomings in our response to these attacks,” emphasizing that “Israel will not escape the consequences of this crime.”
On the other side, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a video statement acknowledging that the Israeli strikes had been planned for months. He revealed that he had issued orders in November 2024 to begin dismantling Iran’s nuclear program.
Netanyahu said the attack was originally planned for late April but was rescheduled due to various considerations, and the exact timing was determined in consultation with the Chief of Staff and Defense Minister. He concluded: “If Iran acquires a nuclear weapon, we will have no future here.”
