In a dramatic escalation, Israel launched major air strikes on Tehran's military and nuclear-related facilities; Iran retaliated overnight with missile fire targeting populated Israeli areas.

Israel’s air force deployed around 60 fighter jets in strikes against more than 20 military targets in Tehran, according to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Among the aims were sites linked to nuclear weapons development centrifuges and missile production facilities. The IDF said these attacks were carried out “as part of a broad effort in response to Iran’s nuclear weapons program, targeting weapons and centrifuge manufacturing, testing, and research facilities”. TASS reports that the facilities were designed to expand uranium enrichment capacity for weaponisation . The IDF’s intelligence directorate had collected data on Iran’s industrial capabilities over years .

In turn, Iran launched a missile attack on Israel during the night of June 19, RIA Novosti reports . The Israeli emergency service (MDA) confirmed that over 30 people were injured and taken to hospitals .

Iran fired about 20 missiles toward Israel on Thursday morning, several striking residential areas of Tel Aviv and its suburbs. One missile hit Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva, in southern Israel .

Iran’s state broadcaster aired footage claiming a cyberattack on Israel’s emergency alert system, as reported by Nour News . The broadcast stated, “A cyberattack was carried out on Israel’s emergency alert system,” according to the agency’s Telegram channel .

Following the cyberattack, announcements in Israel reportedly broadcast an Iranian song commemorating the historic Battle of Khaybar, where Muslims defeated Jewish forces—a symbol often invoked at anti-Israel rallies .

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for destroying Israeli defence systems. A statement said residents must now choose “to die slowly in shelters or flee to occupied Palestine” . The IRGC announced that in the 12th phase of “True Promise III,” it had successfully eliminated Israeli defence systems across all of Palestine .

According to Iran’s Ministry of Health, more than 220 people have been killed and at least 1,800 injured. Meanwhile, Russia’s ambassador in Tehran, Kazem Jalali, stated that civilian deaths are close to 300. Israel reported over 20 killed and more than 800 wounded in the Iranian attacks .

Clashes between Israel and Iran continue multiple times daily. Israel vows to press on until Iran’s nuclear program is fully destroyed; Tehran says it will continue attacks until Israel halts its bombings.