Israel Pounds Tehran With Heavy Strikes

Israel launched a "wide-scale wave of strikes" across Iran on Friday, with the Israeli military saying the attacks hit an "underground ballistic missile facility, an aerial defense base and command centers.

“Heavy Israeli strikes have hit Tehran, Iran, as its allies launch attacks across Gulf states, and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been severely disrupted, sending global oil prices soaring”

Al Jazeera

Tehran and its proxies responded with fresh missile barrages towards Israel, prompting shelter orders in affected areas and claims of incoming missiles and drones being intercepted by regional bases.

Al Jazeera

Israeli statements framed strikes as targeting Iran’s military infrastructure and paramilitary checkpoints, with Al Jazeera noting that Israel said it had struck checkpoints set up in Tehran by the Basij force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

Israeli leaders publicly tied military action to strategic goals such as stopping Iran from moving projects underground or "creating conditions for regime change."

New York Post

The strikes have produced wider regional fallout, with Lebanese officials reporting heavy civilian losses and mass displacement amid intense bombardments.

“President Trump issued a new threat against the “deranged scumbags” leading Iran, vowing to use his “unparalleled firepower” for a fresh wave of deadly attacks Friday — which Secretary of War Pete Hegseth warned would see the “highest volume of strikes that America has put over the skies of Iran”

New York Post

Israel said it has killed hundreds of Hezbollah fighters in renewed fighting.

Images and reports described homes in Israel and elsewhere hit by missiles.

The international and security response has been tangible: the US has deployed defensive capabilities to the region, including 10,000 Merops interceptor drones according to Al Jazeera.

Washington is moving personnel and naval assets — roughly 2,500 Marines and at least one amphibious assault ship were reported headed to the Middle East.

The Hill

Law enforcement globally has been placed on heightened alert.

The strikes and counterattacks have also driven political and societal reactions: Iran’s leadership — including a speech by Khamenei that called for the Islamic Republic to "obtain compensation" from its enemies and has been linked in some reporting to activation of sleeper networks — faces domestic strain and international isolation.

Protests across the Middle East marked Jerusalem Day and the UN chief traveled to Beirut in a show of solidarity.

Al Jazeera