‘Bring it to ruin’: Iran launches ‘dozens’ of ballistic missiles at Israel, Khamenei vows revenge

Iran launches ‘dozens’ of ballistic missiles at Israel (Picture credit score: AP)

Iran launched a large-scale missile barrage on Israel late Friday, triggering air raid sirens throughout the nation and marking a dramatic escalation in a battle that now threatens to spiral right into a full-scale regional struggle. The assault was in retaliation for lethal Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear websites and the killing of prime army commanders, a transfer that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed wouldn’t go unpunished.“The armed forces of the Islamic republic will inflict heavy blows upon this malevolent enemy,” Khamenei stated as he vowed revenge in a televised deal with, including, “the consequences of the Israeli attack will bring it to ruin,” as reported by AFP.Israel’s army confirmed dozens of missiles had been launched by Iran, with explosions heard throughout cities together with Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. According to Israel Defense Forces (IDF), many have been intercepted mid-air, whereas others made impression, prompting authorities to urge residents to take shelter. “The attack is ongoing,” stated the IDF in a press release, noting that the “explosions you are hearing are from interceptions or fallen projectiles.”Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed accountability for the retaliatory strikes, stating it had focused “dozens of military positions” inside Israel. Iran’s state-run IRNA information company additional claimed its forces shot down two Israeli fighter jets throughout a retaliatory Israeli air raid, although this has not been independently confirmed.The violence erupted after Israel launched one of its most important army operations in a long time, placing Iranian nuclear and army websites early Friday. About 200 Israeli plane and a community of pre-positioned explosive drones have been used to hit practically 100 high-value targets, together with Iran’s key uranium enrichment facility in Natanz, a smaller facility in Fordo, and a nuclear analysis centre in Isfahan.Israel’s army additionally stated that its assault killed a number of senior Iranian figures, together with Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, Gen. Hossein Salami, and missile chief Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh—deaths later confirmed by Iranian officers. “This is a clear and present danger to Israel’s very survival,” stated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who added that the operation had been “months in the making.”Iran dubbed its counterattack “Severe Punishment” and stated it had fired tons of of ballistic missiles. IRNA reported the assault got here straight in response to what Iranian international minister Abbas Araghchi described at the United Nations as “state terrorism.” In a letter to the UN Security Council, Araghchi stated, “Israel will come to deeply regret this reckless aggression.”The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that the Natanz facility had been hit and acknowledged it was intently monitoring for any radiation leaks.On the bottom, the impression of the battle was speedy. Residents in Israel rushed to supermarkets to replenish on necessities, whereas public areas in main cities remained eerily abandoned. The IDF started calling up reservists and positioning troops throughout all fight zones, getting ready for potential assaults from Iran-backed proxies like Hezbollah, which has to this point held again from direct involvement.According to AP, the US had cautioned Israel earlier within the week towards launching strikes that would derail delicate nuclear negotiations with Iran. However, Washington was knowledgeable of Israel’s plans upfront. US forces within the area have been positioned on excessive alert and a few diplomatic workers in Baghdad have been pulled out earlier within the week.US President Donald Trump weighed in Friday, urging Iran to negotiate. “Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left,” he warned on Truth Social.Khamenei, addressing the Iranian public as missiles have been nonetheless flying towards Israel, accused the Israeli authorities of “striking residential centres” and promised that Tehran wouldn’t enable it to “escape safely from this great crime.”As world leaders urge restraint and the UN Security Council prepares for an emergency assembly, the shadow struggle between Israel and Iran has erupted into open confrontation, one that would engulf your entire Middle East in battle.