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Iran Launches Heaviest Missile Strikes Yet on Israel, Targets IDF Intelligence Base
As Tehran hits Tel Aviv and Beersheba, Netanyahu hints at assassinating Khamenei; U.S. signals possible negotiations amid rising regional war
Watan-Israel witnessed the heaviest Iranian missile attacks on Thursday morning since the war began last Friday, with new strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran, including the Arak site in central Iran.
Israeli media reported massive destruction in Tel Aviv and Beersheba, after Iran claimed it struck an IDF cyber and intelligence headquarters housing thousands of Israeli soldiers. The blast reportedly reached Soroka Hospital nearby.
According to Iran’s official news agency (IRNA),“The main target was the IDF’s C4I command and intelligence base, and the military intelligence camp in the Gav-Yam technology complex near Soroka Hospital.”
Iran Fires Dozens of Missiles as Israel Targets Nuclear Sites in Retaliation
The hospital itself was affected only by the shockwave of the explosion.
IDF spokesperson Efi Dvirin confirmed Thursday that Iran remains capable of launching missiles, despite ongoing Israeli airstrikes.
“This morning, dozens of missiles and drones were launched from Iran toward Israel. One of the targets was Soroka Hospital in Beersheba,” he said.
Israeli Army Radio reported that one missile launched at Tel Aviv consisted of multiple warheads, spreading across several locations.
In retaliation, Israel announced strikes on Iran’s Khondab nuclear reactor in Arak and said its military had also targeted nuclear sites in Bushehr, Isfahan, and Natanz. However, an Israeli military official later backtracked, admitting it was “a mistake” to publicly claim a hit on Bushehr.
An Iranian diplomat denied any damage to the Bushehr nuclear plant, calling the Israeli claims “psychological warfare.”
Netanyahu Threatens Khamenei as U.S. Considers Strike or Diplomatic Path
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left open the possibility of assassinating Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, declaring,“All options are on the table; no one is immune.”
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant echoed the threat, naming Khamenei as a target in Israel’s broader military objectives.
On the American front, President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he will decide within two weeks whether the U.S. will join military strikes against Iran. His spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt read a statement referencing the “many speculations” about U.S. involvement.
Trump added:“Given the real possibility of future negotiations with Iran—though not guaranteed—I will make my decision in the next two weeks.”
No further clarification was given regarding what makes Trump believe negotiations may soon occur.
In parallel, three diplomats revealed that U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have held several phone calls since Israel began bombing Iran on June 13, aiming for a diplomatic off-ramp.
One diplomat stated that Araghchi made it clear:“Iran will not return to negotiations unless Israel halts its attacks.”
These direct talks—the first since earlier meetings in Oman and Italy—included only brief personal interactions and were mostly indirect. However, a regional diplomat close to Tehran said Araghchi told Witkoff that Iran “may show flexibility on the nuclear issue if Washington pressures Israel to end the war.”
