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In a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Iran unleashed a barrage of ballistic missiles at Israel late Friday in a powerful counterattack. The move came hours after Israeli airstrikes reportedly targeted key nuclear facilities and high-ranking military officials within the Islamic Republic.

This latest flare-up has pushed the region closer to the brink of broader conflict, with smoke seen rising over Tel Aviv and air raid sirens wailing across Israeli cities. The strikes marked one of the most significant confrontations between the two arch-rivals in recent history.

🚨Once again, millions of Israelis are currently running for shelter as sirens sound all over Israel following another missile launch from Iran🚨 pic.twitter.com/j0TMlGWWP5

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 13, 2025

“The armed forces of the Islamic republic will inflict heavy blows upon this malevolent enemy,” Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared in a televised address.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded with a warning of more attacks to come: “In the past 24 hours, we have taken out top military commanders, senior nuclear scientists, the Islamic regime's most significant enrichment facility and a large portion of its ballistic missile arsenal.”

Tel Aviv Under Fire as Explosions Rock Cities

Plumes of smoke were seen billowing above the Tel Aviv skyline following the Iranian missile launches, according to eyewitness accounts. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for the strikes, stating that dozens of targets inside Israel had been hit.

As emergency sirens sounded across the country, Israeli firefighters reported battling several major incidents sparked by the barrage. Among the most urgent was a rescue operation in a high-rise building where dozens were injured, including one woman critically.

VIDEO | Iran on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday launched missiles on Israel in response to the latter's attack on its nuclear and military installations. Visuals from Tel Aviv.

(Source: Third Party)

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/aN88KkPItw

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 13, 2025

Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations said that 78 people had been killed and 320 others injured in the initial wave of Israeli strikes — a toll that underscored the gravity of the Israeli offensive.

A Tense Night in Tehran

Back in Tehran, Iran activated its air-defense systems as explosions echoed across the capital, according to reports from AFP journalists on the ground. The initial Israeli attacks had reportedly struck around 200 strategic sites, including air bases and nuclear infrastructure.

Among those killed were top-ranking officials such as Iran’s armed forces chief of staff, Mohammad Bagheri, and Hossein Salami, the head of the Revolutionary Guards. Iranian media also confirmed the death of several nuclear scientists and aerospace commanders.

“The senior chain of command of the air force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps had assembled in an underground command centre to prepare for an attack on the State of Israel,” the Israeli military said, claiming that its strike killed most of the officers present.

Images captured by AFP showed a large crater blown into the side of a residential building in Tehran, offering a glimpse into the scale and precision of the Israeli strikes.

As the conflict escalated, global leaders scrambled to prevent further deterioration. U.S. President Donald Trump held urgent phone calls with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu.

Starmer’s office later stated that both leaders agreed "dialogue and diplomacy" were essential to de-escalate the situation.

Although the U.S. maintained that it had no role in the Israeli strikes, officials confirmed that Washington was assisting in intercepting incoming Iranian missiles. Iran, however, warned that the U.S. would be “responsible for consequences” if its assets were harmed.

Despite the violence, Trump called on Iran to "make a deal" on its nuclear program and cautioned that more “brutal” attacks could follow if Tehran refused to engage in diplomacy.

United Nations Convenes Emergency Session

An emergency meeting of the UN Security Council was convened Friday evening at Iran’s request, with backing from Russia and China. The diplomatic gathering underscored the international concern over the unfolding crisis and its potential to destabilize the wider region.

Markets responded swiftly. Oil prices spiked amid fears of disrupted supply, while global stock indices dipped as investors assessed the growing risks of a prolonged military conflict.

Nuclear Facilities Damaged

Iran confirmed that surface-level damage was inflicted on parts of its Natanz nuclear enrichment plant. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that radiation levels remained stable around the site.

“Most of the damage is on the surface level,” said Behrouz Kamalvandi, a spokesperson for Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization.

Other nuclear sites in Fordo and Isfahan sustained limited damage, Iranian authorities said.