Department of Research, Studies and International News 18-06-2025

In a bold response to relentless Israeli aggression, Tehran’s precision missile operations have targeted key Israeli sites, exposing vulnerabilities and sending a clear message to Tel Aviv and its Western backers.

From Saturday to Monday, the Islamic Republic of Iran launched a series of high-impact strikes on Israeli territory, signaling a turning point in the ongoing confrontation between the two countries. These operations, carried out in retaliation for Israeli attacks on Iranian military, nuclear, and research installations since last Friday, mark one of the most significant escalations in the region in recent years.

According to Iran’s Fars News Agency and corroborated by open-source visual analysis, Iran has not only demonstrated its growing strategic and technological prowess but also managed to pierce through one of the most heavily fortified military complexes in the Middle East.

Retaliation for escalating Israeli attacks

The latest Iranian response comes after days of unprovoked Israeli bombings that claimed the lives of at least 240 Iranians, targeting key scientific, military, and civilian facilities within Iran. In return, Iranian missile strikes have reportedly caused at least 24 casualties within Israeli borders.

While Tel Aviv enforces strict military censorship on reporting wartime damage, especially when it concerns sensitive locations, independent media and open-source platforms have managed to piece together evidence of the most significant Iranian operations. Al Jazeera’s investigative unit, Sanad, utilized images, social media content, and verified geolocation footage to trace the impact of these retaliatory strikes across Israeli cities.

Targets of strategic significance

Among the most notable hits was a missile that landed a mere 300 meters from the Kirya compound in central Tel Aviv. Often referred to as “Israel’s Pentagon,” the Kirya hosts the Ministry of Defense and numerous intelligence branches. The proximity of the strike not only highlights Iranian missile accuracy but also underscores the vulnerability of Israel’s supposedly impenetrable defense systems.

Another crucial location hit was the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, long suspected of working alongside Israel’s military establishment on technological and research initiatives. Striking this institution is symbolic, as it challenges the Western narrative portraying Israel as a purely scientific and democratic entity detached from its military ambitions.

Destruction across the Tel Aviv metropolitan area

Multiple municipalities surrounding Tel Aviv experienced extensive damage. In Ramat Gan, adjacent to the city, several residential towers were directly hit, leading to mass evacuations and the destruction of nine buildings.

In Petah Tikva, missile impacts disrupted both residential quarters and commercial hubs. Meanwhile, in Bnei Brak, a city known for its religious institutions, a religious school was destroyed. These operations, while tragic in loss of life, reflect Iran’s ability to target with strategic intent, rather than indiscriminate shelling.

One of the most heavily affected areas was Bat Yam, located just south of Tel Aviv, where emergency services confirmed nine fatalities and approximately 200 injuries. This coastal suburb saw extensive infrastructure collapse, with many homes rendered uninhabitable. Similarly, the city of Rishon LeZion witnessed entire blocks flattened by the missile barrage.

Northern Israel: Haifa and Tamra in focus

In the north, Iran’s missiles struck the Bazan Group petrochemical complex in Haifa, the largest oil refinery in Israel. The attack prompted a shutdown of operations, signaling Tehran’s ability to threaten Israel’s economic lifelines with precision and effectiveness.

Haifa was hit again later the same day, this time in its Neve Sha’anan district, where residential buildings bore the brunt of the assault. While Israeli authorities have attempted to downplay the scope of damage, civilian footage paints a different picture, one of chaos and profound shock.

Further north, in the Palestinian-majority town of Tamra, tragedy struck when a missile killed four women from the same family. The town, like many Arab communities within Israel, suffers from a lack of government-funded civil protection, including bomb shelters, highlighting the discriminatory practices of the Israeli state even during wartime emergencies.

A clear signal to Tel Aviv and Washington

These recent events make it clear: Iran is no longer content with mere diplomatic rebukes or measured military restraint. Backed by steadfast allies like Russia and China, Tehran has shown that it possesses both the resolve and capability to retaliate with force when its sovereignty is violated.

While Western media continues to distort facts and shield Israeli narratives, the realities on the ground are shifting. The era of unilateral impunity for Israeli aggression, long supported by Washington and its NATO partners, is facing unprecedented challenges.