In a dangerous escalation of Middle East tensions, Iran launched what it called “Operation True Promise 3” against Israel on Friday, June 13, 2025, firing hundreds of ballistic missiles toward Israeli territory. This attack came in direct retaliation for Israel’s earlier “Operation Rising Lion” strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and military leadership.
MISSILE BARRAGE HITS ISRAELI CITIES
Warning sirens sounded across Israel as Iran’s missiles penetrated Israeli airspace. Despite Israel’s advanced Iron Dome defense system intercepting most incoming projectiles, several missiles struck Tel Aviv, causing building fires and injuries.
According to Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency service, 17 people were injured in the attacks, including 2 seriously and 2 moderately wounded. Later hospital reports indicated the number of patients treated had risen to approximately 40, with 2 in critical condition. Rescue teams worked to extract people from damaged buildings in Tel Aviv and surrounding areas.
“Throughout the day, we once again demonstrated our ability to remove threats in a coordinated, precise and daring manner,” said IDF spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, though he acknowledged there were “a limited number of hits on structures, some from interception failures.”
US HELPS DEFEND ISRAEL AS TENSIONS RISE
U.S. officials confirmed American forces assisted Israel in intercepting Iranian missiles using Patriot and THAAD systems. The U.S. Navy deployed destroyers including USS Sullivans and USS Arleigh Burke in the Eastern Mediterranean to support defense operations.
President Donald Trump spoke directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the crisis. Earlier, Trump had posted on Truth Social: “Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left,” referring to nuclear negotiations that were scheduled for Sunday in Oman but now appear jeopardized.
In a subsequent post, Trump wrote: “I gave Iran a 60 day ultimatum to ‘make a deal.’ They should have done it! Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldn’t get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!”
IRAN CLAIMS SUCCESS, PROMISES MORE ATTACKS
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed its forces successfully carried out attacks on “dozens of targets, military centers and air bases” belonging to Israel. A senior Iranian official told CNN: “The Iranian Armed Forces’ operations against the Zionist regime’s positions will continue.”
In a televised statement, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed the Iranian Armed Forces would deliver “heavy blows” and a “powerful response” to Israel’s earlier strikes.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi stated the country would “strongly take action” against Israel, promising “a severe, wise and strong answer” that would “make the enemy regret its foolish act.”
ISRAEL VOWS “HEAVY PRICE” FOR IRANIAN STRIKES
Israeli officials responded with stern warnings of their own. “Iran crossed red lines by firing missiles at civilian population centers and will pay a very heavy price,” said Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz.
The Israeli cabinet met Friday to discuss response options, with an Israeli official telling CNN the expectation is that Israel will “escalate further in its next wave of attacks against Iran.”
In a video released prior to Iran’s missile attack, Netanyahu addressed the Iranian people directly, urging them to “stand up and let your voices be heard,” claiming Israel’s fight was not against them but against the Iranian government.
GLOBAL MARKETS REACT SWIFTLY
The military exchanges triggered immediate economic shockwaves. Oil prices spiked dramatically, with U.S. oil surging 7.26% to settle at approximately $72.98 per barrel. Brent crude, the global benchmark, gained 7% to settle around $74.23 per barrel—their biggest single-day gains since March 2022, weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine.
Financial markets also reacted negatively, with the Dow falling approximately 600-770 points (about 1.5-2%) as investors responded to fears of widening conflict in the region.
WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE IRAN’S ATTACK?
Iran’s missile barrage came in direct response to Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion,” which targeted dozens of Iranian nuclear sites and military commanders. Israel used approximately 200 fighter jets to hit more than 100 targets across Iran, dropping over 330 munitions.
Israel claimed its strikes damaged Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility, though the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) later confirmed only superficial damage had occurred with no radiation increases detected.
Israeli operations killed several high-ranking Iranian officials, including Revolutionary Guard commander Hossein Salami, missile program chief Amir Ali Hajizadeh, armed forces chief Mohammad Bagheri, and at least two nuclear scientists.
INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE AND WIDER IMPLICATIONS
The United Nations Security Council held an emergency session at Iran’s request following Israel’s strikes. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for restraint from all parties.
Russia condemned Israel’s strikes as “reckless,” while several regional powers including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Oman criticized the escalation. Jordan reportedly intercepted Iranian drones that entered its airspace during the attack.
The IAEA’s Director General Rafael Grossi confirmed that Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow and Isfahan were not impacted by Israeli strikes, with no increases in radiation detected at any sites.
Israeli intelligence reportedly used sophisticated methods in their operation, including smuggling drones and precision weapons into Iran beforehand to target defenses from within, according to Israeli security sources.
As both nations appear poised for further military action, the international community watches with growing concern about the potential for a wider regional conflict that could draw in other powers and destabilize global energy markets.
