Iran's Missile Barrage on Israel: A Response to US Strikes on Nuclear Sites

Missile Attack on Israel

Tel Aviv: The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) reported that Iran launched over 30 ballistic missiles targeting Israel early on Sunday. This escalation followed a US military operation that struck three of Iran's nuclear facilities just hours earlier.

Emergency services, specifically Magen David Adom (MDA), indicated that at least 16 individuals were injured during the missile attack. Among the injured, one man in his thirties suffered moderate shrapnel wounds, while 15 others sustained minor injuries.

Two children were also treated for light injuries at Ichilov Medical Centre in Tel Aviv.

The missile strikes impacted various locations throughout central Israel, with one missile hitting Haifa unexpectedly, raising concerns about potential flaws in the missile alert system.

While sirens were activated in other regions, prompting residents to seek shelter as advised by the Home Front Command, the lack of warning in Haifa was particularly alarming.

MDA CEO Eli Bin confirmed that emergency teams are currently addressing over ten sites of impact, providing assistance to victims and evaluating the damage from the missile strikes.

This Iranian retaliation follows US President Donald Trump's announcement of airstrikes on Iran's nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan.

Trump characterized these strikes as one of the most 'challenging and lethal' military operations in recent history.

In a press briefing shortly after the attacks, Trump expressed his gratitude to the American military personnel involved, stating, 'I want to congratulate the great American patriots who flew those magnificent machines tonight and all of the United States military on an operation the likes of which the world has not seen in many, many decades. Hopefully, we no longer need their services in this capacity. I hope so.'

'This cannot continue. There will either be peace or tragedy for Iran, far greater than what we have witnessed over the last eight days. Remember, there are many targets left,' he warned, suggesting further military action if Iran does not de-escalate.

The US President emphasized that the strikes were intended to dismantle Iran's 'nuclear enrichment capacity and eliminate the nuclear threat posed by the world's leading state sponsor of terror.'

In response, Iran issued a warning of 'everlasting consequences.' Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi condemned the US actions, accusing it of violating the UN Charter, international law, and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) following the coordinated strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities.

'The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences. Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behaviour,' he stated on X.

Citing Iran's rights under international law, Araghchi asserted, 'In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defence, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people.'