Israeli-Iranian Attacks Leave Nearly 500 Dead & Wounded

BBC

A site of the Iranian attack in Israel.

Iran and Israel engaged in a significant escalation of hostilities early Saturday, 14 June 2025, marked by reciprocal missile strikes and air raids following Israel’s largest-ever offensive aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Air raid sirens sounded across major Israeli cities including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, prompting residents to seek shelter as waves of Iranian missiles were launched toward Israel and intercepted by Israeli air defenses. Despite interception efforts, a missile struck near residential areas in Israel, killing a man and a woman and injuring dozens, according to Israel’s ambulance service. Rescue teams continued to search the rubble of destroyed apartment buildings in Rishon Lezion, near Tel Aviv.

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz condemned Iran’s missile attacks on civilians as crossing a red line and vowed that Iran would "pay a heavy price". Meanwhile, a missile launched from Yemen by the Iran-backed Houthi militia killed five Palestinians, including three children, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.

In Tehran, several explosions were reported overnight. Iranian media confirmed that two projectiles struck Mehrabad Airport, which houses an air force base near key leadership sites, causing visible flames. Iran’s Fars news agency reported multiple waves of airstrikes by Tehran in retaliation for Israeli strikes on Iranian commanders, nuclear scientists, military targets, and nuclear facilities, including the heavily damaged Natanz underground nuclear site. The United Nations nuclear watchdog confirmed destruction at Natanz and is investigating damage at other enrichment plants.

Iran’s U.N. envoy Amir Saeid Iravani stated that Israeli strikes had killed 78 people, including senior military officials, and wounded over 320, mostly civilians. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Israel of initiating the war, warning of severe and painful retaliation, and vowed that no part of Israel would be safe.

According to statements from Israeli officials, three people have been killed and 80 others injured in Iranian attacks on Israel in the past 24 hours.

Israel’s military reported that Iran fired fewer than 100 missiles on Friday, with most intercepted or falling short. The United States military assisted in shooting down Iranian missiles headed for Israel. Despite the ongoing exchanges, Israeli officials emphasized their capability to defend against the attacks without foreign assistance.



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