Iranian missiles rain down on Israel in retaliatory strike

In the pre-dawn hours of Friday morning, Israel’s Air Force carried out numerous air strikes across several points throughout Iran. Following the initial wave of attacks, there were several more waves of attacks on various strategic targets throughout Iran.

Notable targets for these strikes included the headquarters of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps in Tehran, as well as several nuclear sites throughout the country, including Tebriz, Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow. Raphael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency , the UN’s nuclear watchdog, said that there were indications of radiological contamination in and around the struck nuclear sites, but that this contamination could be contained.

It is unclear to what extent these attacks were successful in compromising the function of these sites. Many of the critical installations of these facilities are hundreds of meters underground, with only ventilation shafts and other non critical infrastructure above ground. So far, experts do not see evidence that significant damage has been done to these facilities.

There are also reports that several civilian residential complexes in Tehran and other Iranian cities were targeted as well. It is difficult to get reliable information on casualties. Iran’s ambassador to the UN says that 78 were killed in this morning’s attacks and that hundreds were injured, the vast majority being civilians. However, Iran has confirmed that Israel killed several high ranking members of the IRGC, including its commander Hussein Salami, as well as several top Iranian nuclear scientists.

Iran strikes back

Israel claimed that its intelligence agency Mossad had disabled several of Iran’s ballistic missile launch sites in order to hamper their expected retaliation. Nevertheless, Tehran vowed to respond swiftly and decisively. Iran’s delegation to the UN also submitted a letter to the Security Council asserting Iran’s right to respond to Israel’s attacks under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

By sunrise in Iran, Hundreds of drones were on route to Israel. Most of these drones appear to have been neutralized, but this was only the first wave. This evening, Iran has launched waves of ballistic missiles, targeting key facilities throughout Israel. Videos and photos circulating online show that a good many of these missiles managed to hit their targets in Israel, though many were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome, with help from US forces in the region. There are several videos showing different missile strikes in Tel Aviv throughout the evening.

Reports out of Israel are spotty and difficult to verify, so it’s not clear yet what exactly has been hit. Reports indicate several government and military targets were hit as well as some of the residential buildings surrounding them. A video is circulating which appears to show Fox News reporter Trey Yingst near the Kirya (the headquarters of the Israeli Ministry of Security). In the video, he claims one the ministry’s buildings had been hit, but is prevented from completing his report.

Iran also claims to have downed at least two F-35 jets that were flying in to attack their territory and that at least one female Israeli pilot has been arrested. If true, this would be a significant development as it would be the first time an F-35, prized for its advanced stealth technology, has been taken down in combat.

There have been reports so far of at least one death and several dozen injuries in Israel. The retaliatory attacks are still in progress and it does not appear that Iran has any intention of letting up any time tonight.

In response, Israel launched more waves of attacks into Iran, apparently targeting the Presidential Palace in Tehran as well as the home of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Just minutes ago, it was announced a fourth wave of Iranian missiles is on its way to Israel.

US support?

The Trump Administration seems to be giving mixed messages on whether or not they signed off on Israel’s attack on Iran early this morning. On Thursday, President Trump indicated multiple times that he would not wish for Israel to strike Iran while there were still a chance of obtaining a nuclear deal. A sixth meeting in these negotiations was set to take place Sunday in Oman.

Shortly after Israel’s strikes began early this morning, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement describing Israel’s attack as being a “unilateral decision”, indicating that the US was not involved and that Iran should not target US military bases in the region. However, today Trump posted in triumphant tones on TruthSocial, praising Israel’s attack and saying that the US offered “exquisite” intelligence. Later in the day, he expressed the hope that Israel’s attack would give him more leverage in the negotiations, saying that Iran should make a deal “before there is nothing left”. However, it seems unlikely that Iran will be willing to come to any agreement as long as Israel continues it’s aggression.

When Iran’s retaliatory attack commenced, Rubio initially would not confirm or deny whether the US would help Israel to intercept missiles. However US officials later confirmed that the US was helping to intercept Iranian missiles targeted at Israel. A short while ago, an Iranian official issued a statement saying that Iran will target the regional bases of any country that tries to defend Israel.