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Iran fired some 150 ballistic missiles at Israel in two barrages Friday in retaliation for unprecedented Israeli airstrikes that killed top Iranian military commanders and targeted nuclear facilities, marking a dramatic escalation in hostilities between the regional adversaries.
There have been reports of nine impact sites, with some 15 people wounded, mostly in good condition, according to medics. Air raid sirens wailed across Israel as explosions rocked the country following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's warning that he expected "several waves of Iranian attacks." Smoke billowed above Tel Aviv's downtown skyscrapers as Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed it struck dozens of Israeli targets. Several people were trapped in a high-rise building in central Israel, firefighting services reported.
Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei vowed to bring Israel "to ruin" during a televised address following the missile strikes. "The armed forces of the Islamic republic will inflict heavy blows upon this malevolent enemy," Khamenei told the nation.
The Iranian counterattack came hours after Israel announced its widespread air raids had killed several top Iranian generals, including most of the senior leadership of the Revolutionary Guards' air force. Among the dead were Iran's highest-ranking military officer, armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri, and the head of the Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, according to Iranian media reports.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected "calls for Iran to show restraint in the face of Israeli aggression," according to a statement, as Khamenei swiftly appointed new commanders to replace those killed in the Israeli strikes.
The escalation prompted emergency diplomatic action, with the UN Security Council scheduling an emergency meeting at 1900 GMT. The meeting was requested by Iran and supported by Russia and China.
President Trump urged Iran to "make a deal" on its nuclear program, warning of "even more brutal" attacks to come. The United States emphasized it was not involved in the Israeli action and warned Iran against attacking American personnel or interests. Tehran responded that Washington would be "responsible for consequences."
In Tehran, where streets were largely deserted, public sentiment reflected growing resolve for retaliation. "How much longer are we going to live in fear?" said 62-year-old retiree Ahmad Moadi. "As an Iranian, I believe there must be an overwhelming response, a scathing response."
The violence disrupted regional air travel, with Iraq, Jordan and Syria closing their airspace. Tehran's main airport halted operations while Israel declared a state of emergency. Oil prices surged and stocks declined as markets reacted to the strikes.
The Iranian missile strikes raised questions about whether a sixth round of U.S.-Iran talks planned for Sunday in Oman would proceed, as Trump said Washington was "hoping to get back to the negotiating table" despite the escalating violence.
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