Iran retaliates against Israel’s devastating strike with a barrage of missiles.

In response to Israel’s airstrikes targeting Tehran’s military and nuclear facilities, Iran launched hundreds of missiles, escalating a conflict that poses a risk to regional stability and global markets.

Israel reported detecting missiles fired from the Islamic Republic, detailing explosions from missile interceptions and debris from incoming projectiles. An Israeli official indicated that US forces are aiding in the interception of the Iranian missiles.

The Iranian assault, which Tehran claims involved hundreds of ballistic missiles, marks the most significant action taken by Tehran following overnight raids by Israel that killed senior Iranian generals and severely impacted critical military assets.
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While it’s uncertain if Israel’s air defenses have been compromised, markets reacted negatively to the heightened tensions. US stocks reached new lows for the session, oil prices surged over 7%, and both the US dollar and gold experienced increases.

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, pledged to “respond decisively” in a pre-recorded video broadcast by state television. Iranian media reported that Hossein Salami, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri were both killed in Israeli strikes, with at least two other high-ranking IRGC members also reported deceased.

Khamenei asserted, “Israel should not think that this is the end. We will not permit them to escape unpunished for this grave crime.” His remarks followed the initiation of Iran’s retaliatory strike on Israel. This escalation occurs amidst indirect nuclear negotiations between the Islamic Republic and the US, with the sixth round of talks scheduled for Sunday.

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Earlier, US President Donald Trump had urged Iran to reach an agreement with Washington to avert further Israeli attacks, which he suggested could be significantly worse than the initial strikes. Iranian media reported that at least 95 individuals were injured in the missile barrage, with several residential areas in the capital’s outskirts affected. Iran has yet to provide an official death toll.

According to Trump, Tehran must negotiate a deal “before it is too late,” as he posted on Truth Social following Israel’s actions.

The US has insisted it played no role in Israel’s initial assault and cautioned Iran against retaliating against American servicemembers. The US assistance in supporting Israel’s air defenses is standard practice; Washington facilitated the interception of Iranian missiles during a previous attack last year.

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