Explosions echoed over Jerusalem and smoke rose from Tel Aviv’s skyline Friday as Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles and drones toward Israel—marking the most direct military clash between the two nations in decades. The assault follows Israel’s sustained bombing of Iranian nuclear and military targets earlier this week.
The Israeli military confirmed that approximately 100 drones and multiple waves of missiles had been launched by Iranian forces, calling the incident an “ongoing attack” and urging residents to stay in bomb shelters indefinitely. Videos circulating online show tracer fire from Israeli defense systems lighting up the sky over major cities as missiles were intercepted mid-air.
At least seven impact sites have been identified in the Tel Aviv area alone, though the extent of damage remains unclear. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps claimed responsibility, saying in a statement it had struck “dozens of military and defense sites” in response to what it called Israeli war crimes.
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“Life Will Be Dark for Them”: Khamenei Promises More
In a televised address, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that the strikes were only the beginning.
“They should not think they have attacked and it’s over,” he said. “Iran’s armed forces will definitely be striking hard.”
Khamenei’s comments come just days after Israeli warplanes and drones pounded Iranian missile sites, nuclear facilities in Natanz and Isfahan, and command centers in a massive daylong strike that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as a move to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power.
Netanyahu, doubling down Friday, declared:
“The operation will continue as many days as it takes. We cannot afford to stop.”
See also: Trump Reacts to Israel’s Attack on Iran—And Warns There’s “Much More to Come”
Washington’s Pressure Campaign, and a Deal Deferred
In Washington, President Trump addressed the attacks during a press briefing, stating that Iran “must make a deal before there is nothing left.” The U.S. had reportedly been in the midst of nuclear de-escalation talks with Tehran, which Iranian officials have now withdrawn from.
Trump’s remarks come amid a divided Congress. Many lawmakers, including leading Republicans and centrist Democrats, voiced full-throated support for Israel’s actions. But a growing chorus of voices within the Democratic Party warned that unchecked escalation could drag the U.S. into another regional war.
The White House declined to confirm if additional military support would be sent to Israel, but Trump warned of “even more brutal” consequences should Iran continue its campaign.
A War of Attrition—or the Start of Something Bigger?
Defense analysts warn the tit-for-tat may quickly spiral. Friday’s missile strikes mark the first time Iran has directly targeted Israel with ballistic weapons at this scale. Previous hostilities between the two countries were largely fought through proxies across Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq.
What happens next may depend on how far each side is willing to push—and how much global pressure is applied. For now, the missiles keep falling. Sirens keep wailing. And civilians across the region are caught between a history of shadow wars and the terrifying clarity of an open one.
See also: The Global March to Gaza: A Mass Movement Against Israel’s Blockade
