Iran retaliated with nearly 200 missiles and drones, hitting Tel Aviv and Galilee. At least four Israelis were killed and dozens injured despite Iron Dome interceptions.
BY PC Bureau
June 15, 2025: Tensions between Israel and Iran erupted into unprecedented levels of violence over the weekend, as both countries exchanged deadly strikes, triggering fears of a wider war in West Asia. The rapidly intensifying conflict has led to significant civilian casualties, the collapse of diplomatic channels, and controversial claims about the downing of advanced Israeli warplanes.
Israel’s air campaign—dubbed Operation Rising Lion—saw more than 150 targets bombed inside Iran, including military installations, nuclear facilities, and strategic economic hubs like the South Pars gas field, the world’s largest. A missile strike on a 14-storey residential tower in Tehran killed at least 60 civilians, including 29 children, according to Iranian officials. Harrowing visuals showed mangled concrete, burning debris, and frantic rescue efforts underway.
Iran’s Missile Barrage and Israeli Casualties
Iran responded with a barrage of nearly 200 ballistic missiles and drones, striking multiple Israeli locations over four waves. The Israeli government confirmed at least four deaths, including three women in the Galilee region and a civilian in Tel Aviv, while dozens more were injured. Israel’s Iron Dome and allied U.S. defense systems reportedly intercepted the majority of incoming projectiles.
🇮🇷⚔️🇮🇱 Iran just Retalliated to Israel by Shooting a Missile Barrage. Tehran Called this “ The Beginning of a Crushing Response.” Iron Dome Intercepted Most. Emergency Meeting at Kirya, Discussing Possible Responses. Video reported as Tel Aviv. This is for Israeli not US Army. pic.twitter.com/DqvI8mPR3y
— Sputnik (@VasBroughtToX) June 13, 2025
Iran Claims Downing of Israeli F‑35 Jets
In a development that could have major military implications, Iranian state media claimed to have shot down three Israeli F‑35I “Adir” stealth fighters over western Iran. Reports allege that one pilot was captured, another possibly killed, and one jet remains unaccounted for. If verified, this would mark the first combat losses of the F‑35, a U.S.-developed aircraft hailed as the most advanced in the world.
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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) denied the claim, calling it “fabricated propaganda” and insisting that no Israeli aircraft had been lost during the operations.
Political Fallout and Diplomatic Collapse
As the death toll mounted, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that further Iranian retaliation would provoke even more devastating strikes. “What they have felt so far is nothing compared with what they will be handed in the coming days,” Netanyahu said, adding that Israeli jets would soon be “over the skies of Tehran.”
Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed the threat: “If Khamenei continues to fire missiles, Tehran will burn.”
In response, Iran withdrew from U.S.-mediated nuclear negotiations, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi calling talks “meaningless” amid “barbarous Israeli aggression.” Mediation by Oman has collapsed, according to diplomatic sources.
Israel hits oil refineries and depots in Tehran.
Moreover United states, UK, France have made an alliance and are intercepting Iranian ballistic missiles above Israel. https://t.co/2yoLSvbUKP pic.twitter.com/5ABInvwPHn— Sudhanshu Singh Solanki 🇮🇳 (@Sudhanshu_I_N_D) June 14, 2025
International Reactions and Regional Impact
At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, China condemned Israel’s actions, while India urged “dialogue and diplomacy,” stopping short of direct criticism. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, after calls with leaders in Tehran and Riyadh, accused Netanyahu of attempting to “ignite the region” and distract from the conflict in Gaza.
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Iranian MP and military general Esmail Kosari said Tehran is considering closing the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil shipments. He also warned that any foreign base aiding Israel’s defense would be considered a legitimate military target.
In a separate incident, the Croatian consul in Israel and his wife were injured when an Iranian missile struck their residential building in Tel Aviv. Croatia condemned the attack and called for restraint.
Despite air raid sirens and missile alerts, parts of Israel returned to routine over the weekend, with beaches and public spaces in Tel Aviv remaining crowded—a sign of both defiance and fatigue amid escalating violence.
