The Iran–Israel conflict reached a new level of escalation over the weekend after Tehran launched a large-scale missile and drone attack across Israeli territory. The move came in response to a deadly Israeli operation that struck deep into Iran, targeting military and nuclear infrastructure.
Iran’s leadership framed the retaliatory strike as a lawful act of self-defense. Israel, meanwhile, has vowed to continue what it describes as necessary preemptive action against Iranian capabilities. As of Monday morning, both countries are on high alert, with their populations bracing for further violence.
The exchange has drawn condemnation and concern from across the globe. Oil prices surged, diplomatic channels broke down, and the risk of a broader regional conflict now looms large.
Israel launches air campaign deep into Iran
On June 13, Israeli forces initiated Operation Rising Lion, involving more than 200 aircraft targeting over 100 strategic sites across Iran. The airstrikes hit military installations in Natanz, Isfahan, and near Tehran, including nuclear enrichment sites and missile production facilities.
Iran confirmed that several top commanders were killed, including General Hossein Salami, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and General Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s Armed Forces Chief of Staff. Nuclear scientist Fereydoon Abbasi was also reported dead following a strike on a facility near Isfahan.
According to DW, over 200 people were killed and 1,200 injured in the Israeli attack, though Iranian officials initially cited 78 confirmed deaths. Satellite images from ImageSat International confirmed large-scale destruction at Iranian defense infrastructure.
According to Middle East Eye, the Israeli airstrikes as “a gross violation of sovereignty and international law,” while civilian casualties included children and hospital patients near a military complex in central Tehran.
Iran launches retaliatory operation targeting Israeli cities
In what it named Operation True Promise III, Iran fired over 150 ballistic missiles and launched more than 100 drones toward Israel on June 15. The strikes targeted military sites and urban centers in Tel Aviv, Rehovot, Haifa, and Ramat Gan.
As reported by CNN, Israeli air defense systems—Iron Dome and David’s Sling—intercepted a majority of incoming missiles. However, at least 14 people were killed, including civilians and one IDF soldier. Dozens were injured, and some remain trapped under rubble in southern Tel Aviv.
Several key sites were hit, including the Weizmann Institute of Science and oil infrastructure near Haifa. Fires erupted across northern districts, causing extensive damage to energy facilities. According to The Guardian, the Haifa oil depot blaze took over 18 hours to contain.
Regional shock and growing civilian toll
In Israel, emergency services responded to over 200 missile-related incidents. According to Times of Israel, several neighborhoods in Bat Yam and Ramat Gan were severely damaged, with residential towers partially collapsed and schools shuttered.
“Yemeni Houthis, an Iran-aligned armed group, claimed responsibility for missile launches into central Israel—targeting Jaffa—in coordination with Iran’s military action. While the Houthis described the attack as synchronized support for Tehran, there are no independent confirmations of casualties in Israel resulting from the strikes,” according to Reuters.
Global fallout and diplomatic paralysis
“Brent crude surged nearly 7%—its largest single-day gain in months—after Israel’s strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites, and rallied further later in the week, with total weekly gains surpassing 12%, according to Reuters. Regional stock markets in the Gulf also dropped sharply amid investor worries over geopolitical risk.”
Following the Israeli airstrikes, Russia condemned the action as ‘unprovoked and illegal,’ and called for restraint to prevent further escalation, according to Reuters. China, speaking at the United Nations, urged immediate cessation of military operations, describing the attacks as violations of Iran’s sovereignty and citing the need for multilateral diplomacy Reuters Reported.
Analysts warn of broader regional war
Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units have entered high alert. Syria, Jordan, and Iraq closed their airspace, citing security risks. The Reuters reported intelligence warnings about possible escalations along the Israeli-Lebanese border.
Security analysts told The Atlantic Council that both countries are operating under wartime protocols, with Iran invoking Article 51 of the UN Charter and Israel framing its campaign as “preemptive defense.”
Without diplomatic mediation or a ceasefire mechanism, the conflict risks dragging the entire Middle East into a protracted war. Iran’s nuclear infrastructure is crippled, but its resolve appears intact. Israel remains on edge, with air defenses strained and no political consensus on how far to escalate.
Oil markets, civilian populations, and regional powers now wait as the possibility of a multi-front conflict becomes increasingly real.
