Iran launched consecutive waves of missile and drone strikes on Israel overnight, in retaliation for Israel’s “greatest military operations in history,” conducted under Operation Rising Lion. The second barrage from Khamenei-led Islamic Republic came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation, saying more Israeli operations were under way.The first wave of Iranian strikes began late Friday, targeting Israeli cities including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Explosions lit up the night sky as air raid sirens sounded across central Israel. The Israeli military said it had intercepted many of the incoming projectiles but acknowledged some impacts.“Iran targeted military centers and airbases that served as the source of the criminal aggression against our country,” the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement. It claimed the missiles were launched “using a combination of precision-guided and smart systems.”“Field reports, satellite imagery, and intercepted intelligence indicate that dozens of ballistic missiles effectively hit strategic targets,” the IRGC added. “Despite claims of interception, the enemy failed to counter the waves of missile strikes.”Soon after Netanyahu issued a video message calling Iran’s regime a threat to global security, a second wave of Iranian strikes was launched. “More is on the way,” Netanyahu had warned, adding, “The regime does not know what hit them — or what will hit them. It has never been weaker.”As the second salvo rained down, fresh sirens rang out in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Residents, already rattled from the first attack, were urged to stay in shelters. Israel’s Defence Forces (IDF) later confirmed a continued state of high alert.Also read: Mapped, marked, and hit: How precise was Israel’s strike on Iran? 10 images show how it hit the bull’s ey
Iran’s military had earlier warned, “Everyone will feel it,” in a social media post. And shortly before launching the second round, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had said Israel “should expect severe punishment” for its attacks on Iranian nuclear and military facilities.“When the last sword strikes, we’ll see who remains.” Iranian military posted on X.Israel, meanwhile, maintained it had dealt a severe blow to Tehran. “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,” Netanyahu said.
